By Felix Ekwu
Commuters of commercial buses plying highways in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have started groaning already over the hike in transport fares by bus drivers following the yet-to-be-enforced ban on the operations of commercial tricycle operators otherwise known as Keke riders on the highways.
The ban which was announced on Monday, July 7, 2022, by authorities of Uvwie Local Government was supposed to take effect yesterday Monday, July 11, 2022.
The enforcement of the ban has however been shifted by seven days which according to the Chairman of Uvwie Council, Ramson Onoyake was to give room for proper sensitisation by the commercial and motorcycle operators association to ensure smooth implementation of the ban.
NewsNet Nigeria investigation revealed that as of yesterday Monday when the ban was supposed to commence some commercial bus drivers have already started taking undue advantage of it to hike fare.
Narrating her experience, a commuter who spoke on condition of annoynmity told NewsNet Nigeria that she paid N200 from the popularly Effurun Roundabout to DSC Roundabout that was previously for N100 which Keke riders charge.
She expressed concern that with the current development the situation would get worse when the ban fully takes effect if government does not urgnetly call the buses driver to order.
For another commuter whose place of work is on the NPA Expressway, he fears that the number of commecial buses plying the highways in Uvwie Local Government Areas is enough to cope with volume of passengers that would result from the ban of Keke especially during rush hours.
He therefore suggested that proper planning should done by authorities of Uvwie Local Government to avoid public outcry and backlash that would arise from the enforcement of the ban which is aimed among others to tackle the menance of daily traffic gridlocks especially at the PTI junction and Effurun Roundabout notwithstanding the reoccurring failed portions of the roundabout.
More worrisome is the activities of criminal elements particularly at the early hours and night at the Effurun Roundabout that is a major gateway to Uvwie and Warri.
The daily holdups and havocs wreck on innocent passengers especially strangers by hoodums at the Effurun Roundabout have continued to paint Uvwie and Warri in bad light.
Therefore, the expected gains for introducing the ban of commercial tricycle operators from the highways. in Uvwie Local Government Area should not be defeated by poor planning and execution by the authorities.
In a phone chat, the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Ramson Onoyake said there is an existing committee comprising relevant stakeholders expected to submit its report before the expiration of the seven days extension.
He promised to also interface with the leadership of the road transport union with a view to caution their members against exploiting passengers following the ban of Keke riders on designated highways in Uvwie Council Area.
