Operators of Tricycle in Owerri, the Imo state capital, better known as “Keke Riders” are at daggers drawn with a group said to be enjoying government patronage over payment of certain amount for yet to be disclosed reasons.
Our reporter encountered a fiasco at Wetheral Road yesterday between Keke Riders group and some suspected government agents collecting money from the tricycle motorists. The Keke Riders not only engaged in war of words but also engaged in skirmishes with the yellow-colour wearing task force said to be working with suspected ENTRACO workers.
At the centre of the squabbles is the payment of N2,500 levy by all Keke Riders to Government coffers through a secret means.
Trumpeta learnt that the keke operators are requested to pay about N2,500 to a group known as Imo Pilot Transports Association with office at Government House, Annex Okigwe Road, Owerri.
In the said form which is sold and filled at the Rochas Foundation House, located on Okigwe Road opposite Prisons, Owerri, all operators are expected to pay the amount and fill their operational number, unit, name, address and other vital information. There are provisions for the President of Keke and ICT Consultant to sigh after the payment of N2,500.
The action is causing uneasy calm and tension among the Keke operators who are threatening fire and brimstone over the harassment meted to them by the suspected government agents.
When our reporter visited the Rochas Foundation for verification, nobody was willing to speak on the matter. One suspected official threatened to attack our reporter who probed further on the matter.
However, one of the Union Leaders in Rochas Foundation Plaza disclosed that an order from the Government of Imo State stipulates that a registration fee of N1,500 must be paid, with fleet number of N300 and white tarpaulin (cover) of N2,700 must be bought from them before the owner of the keke starts its full operation.
According to the official, he also stated that the Governor made the compulsory order that no keke should be sighted with other tarpaulin, unless the one they referred to as “Transparent tarpaulin” from the Government, stressing that anybody seen violating the order will be arrested by task force until he pays a stipulated fine of N2,000 plus.
Adding, he commented that the money realized daily is being deposited in the Government’s bank after which they get their little commission from the Government, under the supervision of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Governor.
