…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Operators of Keke NAPEP in Umuahia and Aba, Abia State, are required to undergo biometric capturing and obtain a rider’s permit, according to the State Ministry of Transport.
The exercise will be coordinated by leaders of various tricycle unions in the State in line with the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Ijeoma Okere, announced that rider’s permits would be issued following the biometric capturing exercise.
The ministry stated that the exercise would be conducted at offices of tricycle unions and accredited cyber cafes, and riders were urged to comply in their own interest.
Opposition and Support for the Biometric Verification
Some Keke NAPEP riders expressed their reservations about the proposed biometric verification, accusing tricycle union leaders of allegedly colluding with the State Ministry of Transport to profit from them.
These riders claimed that the policy is more of a revenue drive for the government.
Nonetheless, some tricycle operators expressed their willingness to participate in the biometric policy, requesting that the State government make the rider’s permit more affordable for them.
State Ministry of Transport’s Intention
The State Ministry of Transport has always maintained that the policy was aimed at obtaining accurate data of Keke NAPEP operators in Abia State.
The biometric capturing exercise is intended to enhance security and orderliness in the State.
The Ministry has advised operators to comply with the directive, and enforcement of the policy will commence in the State.