COVID-19: Aba Tricycle operators flout Govt Directives

By Lawrence Nwimo

As Abia state government makes strenuous efforts to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, tricycle operators in Aba, the economic hub of Abia state, are obviously not in the mood to heed to the safety directives given out by the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu led administration.

They carry three passengers at the back seat, one at the front right and another by the left, hanging like leaf that lost its balance at the branch, then the operator making the total occupants five as the operator meanders rigorously through the rough roads of Obohia in Aba in total neglect to the govt order.

The flouting of the government order came not as a result of ignorance of the covid-19 rules but an avenue for opportunists who desire to extort and feed large from the already wailing masses some of whom have been financially handcuffed by covid-19 lockdown thereby subjecting them to risks and danger.

Recall that at the peak of the fight to control the covid-19 spread, the Abia state government gave out directives to avoid further spread of the virus into major cities of the state. Ikpeazu assembled team of covid-19 enforcement agents with task to ensure strict compliance to the directives.

Earlier this year in the month of March, Ikpeazu- led government had given directives that henceforth, all tricycles (Keke) operators in the state must carry a maximum of two passengers per trip, two behind and the operator making it three, and they must sit at the back with only the operator at front.

Mini buses popularly called “Oke Bekee” are to carry only 5 passengers per trip, while 14-seater buses are to carry only a maximum of 8 passengers per trip with none in front except the driver.

All inter-state bus parks or terminals must procure and deploy digital thermometers for screening of inbound and outbound passengers, as well as provide hand sanitizers and hand washing materials for use, by all staff and passengers or risk immediate closure.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu earlier in April 26 had imposed 6.00pm to 6.00am curfew in the State. This is to enable expedited contact tracing related to two index cases, as well as ensure enforcement of the subsisting lockdown in the state. To solidify his order, he directed that enforcement agents should ensure defaulters of the lockdown directive are taken to the mobile courts for prosecution.

Ikpeazu had explained that these and other measures were necessary in the light of the increasing threat posed to the people of the state by the COVID-19 pandemic and called for understanding from citizens as the government will spare no effort in protecting the people, however daunting it may be.

Earlier in May, Mr Chris Ezem, the Secretary to the State Government, said in a statement while relaxing the lockdown in the state ordered that “Commercial tricycle (Keke) operators and all other intra-state commercial transporters will now operate with some degrees of restrictions including adequately putting on face masks.

“While keke operators can only carry two passengers at every point in time, mini buses and other buses must not seat more than two persons per row with all passengers including the driver wearing face masks.”

It now looks as if the dog has been let loose as some of the covid-19 safety measures by the state has been totally abandoned and turned to money spinning ventures in the busy town. Face masks’ wearing is becoming a thing of the past especially for passengers and pedestrians.

Our reporter, Lawrence Nwimo observed various activities going on in the Aba town and noted that no iota of safety measure was being observed by transporters and road users , especially, tricycle operators in the town. While some that spoke to the reporter blamed government for not doing enough to help the situation, others said that there is nothing like coronavirus in Nigeria not to talk of Abia state.

In the words of Obinna who hails from Okigwe, he said that the covid-19 pandemic has lasted beyond what he thought, hence cannot continue to cope with the hardship. He blamed hardship for the flouting of the directives. His words, ” When all these things started, we thought that it will be over in a matter of a month or so, just like Ebola but the situation is not getting any better. Now look at it from March till today and count the number of months we have suffered under this so called virus. I have a family I feed and cannot continue to give them excuses each time I return. Government should find a way to solve the issue before somebody will die of hunger.

” we have expected government to intervene and do something such as palliatives but they don’t but instead force hardship on us because they have other means of survival and a way to get us”.

For Chinedu, another tricycle operator from Isuochi who plies Obohia – Park axis, he said: “there is no way I will bring out my keke and carry only two passengers. That is not possible instead let the police chase me round the whole Aba town, I am eqaul to the task. Since I started operating tricycle, I have never carried less than the normal passenger except there is no passenger to carry”.

For middle aged operator identified as George, ” covid-19 is not in Aba and even in Nigeria. All the stories are politics and a way to steal our money. If they say someone has covid-19, let them bring such person let us see or even bring those they said have died let us see.

Some of the operators who mostly ply from park to ogbo hill observe the safety measures as instructed by the state government especially in the area of the number of passengers to be carried on single trip but do not take serious the issue of face mask which is part of the state government’s directives.

Increased Fare

A resident of Ogbohill who spoke on the condition of anonymity told our reporter that following the covid-19 order of 2 passengers only, tricycle operators are now forced to heap the full weight of their loss on the passengers as they (passengers) are now charged double of the usual fare. According to him, a drop from Park to Ogbo hill is charge N100 while at times N150, obohia to either Ehi road or park is charged N100 instead of the usual N50 for the trip.

He said further, “From park to Nkwo Obohia used to be N50 for the four occupants of the seats but now passengers are forced to part with N100 even when the Keke operators carry four passengers as against the instructed two passengers”.

Passengers Groan Over increased fare

Chinyere Udensi who works as sales lady at Ehi road but lives at Nkwo Ngwa told our reporter that following the hike in transportation fare within the town, She can barely afford to enter tricycle again.

” since the increase in the drop price, I don’t use keke again. I now prefer trekking so that I don’t waste all my salary enjoying keke. My salary is not more than ten thousand naira and you calculate how much it will cost me to transport myself a month. The only thing I do is to wake up early so that I don’t have problem with my oga”.

Another shop owner at cemetery market simply identified as mama Ejima, told our reporter that the price has been a burden on her since the emergence of covid-19 lockdown especially the period when the market operations functioned for restricted days and hours. ” we barely sale anything but we have to return to our homes and pay for transports in the process. We pay N100 coming and N100 going as against the usual N50″.

When contacted, the chairman Aba Tricycle Riders Integrated Welfare Association (ATRIWA), Barr St. Moses ogbonna denied the allegations adding that the operators under his leadership had been complying with the government order.

” Tricycle operators under ATRIWA have not been flouting the state government order except you are talking about other unions in Aba”.

However, efforts made to contact Comr. Eugene Eze-job of SATOA proved futile as his line was not reachable.