For quite a spell, commercial motorcycles were everywhere in Kaduna State. Then, one day, the state government banned them, drawing huge protests from not just the motorcyclists but even also the physically challenged. The argument was that the ban would create more problems than it would solve. People would lose their jobs and the many families would be affected, the protesters said. The physically challenged said the ban would adversely affect their movement since their relative often conveyed them on the motorcycles.
The Mukthar Yero administration was unmoved and soon the ban became law. But the government also fashioned another means to ease the problem which the ban created: providing commercial tricycles. The primary beneficiaries were members of the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORON).
Speaking at the distribution of the tricycles to the beneficiaries in Kaduna, Governor Yero said it was decision of the government to buy the tricycles and distribute same at 50 percent of the initial cost is in “furtherance of our resolve to create job opportunities for our teaming unemployed youths and to improve the general wellbeing of our people. I am happy to inform you that what we are witnessing today is just one out of the several intervention programmes designed to provide palliatives to our people especially those directly affected by the recent ban on activities of commercial motorcyclists”.
He assured the people of the state that the law banning the operation of commercial motorcycles in the state was not conceived to bring hardship to them, but was aimed at improving security as well as the overall wellbeing of both commuters and operators of commercial motorcycles”.
Yero said that the government was aware of the initial difficulties faced by the people of the state due to the ban on commercial motorcycles and is ready to cushion the effect through provision of additional means of transportation across affected parts of the State.
He noted that since the first phase of the beneficiaries of the 700 tricycles distributed in 2013 under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme kept to the term of the agreement, the government was giving out another set of 1000 tricycles to reduce difficulties of transportation in the urban and semi-urban centers as well as create jobs for people, especially those initially engaged in commercial motorcycle business.
He said, “These tricycles are to be given to beneficiaries who have been identified by the implementation committee of Kaduna State SURE-P through due diligence at 50% subsidy. In clear terms, the cost of each tricycle is N531,825,00 inclusive of plate number registration, taxes and a 12 months comprehensive insurance cover. Beneficiaries are expected to pay back only 50% of the total cost within a period of 12 months. A beneficiary is however required to make a deposit of N67,000 which is 25% of the subsidised rate before taking the Tricycle this gesture is born out of our genuine commitment to creating means of productive ventures for our youth”. He directed that the tricycles be distributed in area affected by the ban. According to him, Kaduna metropolis comprising Kaduna North and South and some areas affected by the ban in Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas are to be given 400 units of the tricycles, while Zaria and Sabon Gari will receive 300 units. Kafanchan will get 150 units, while 50 units each will go to the other affected areas of Lere, Birnin-Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas for use in designated areas affected by the ban.
He also directed that “in allocating the tricycles, special consideration was given to members of the Commercial Motorcyclists Union. Our decision is informed by the recognition of the immense cooperation of the Union towards the smooth implementation of the law banning the operation of commercial motorcycles in some parts of the state, we intend to continues with our cordial partnership and collaboration with the Union in the development of our dear State”.
He warned that “government will not tolerate any form of abuse of its kind gesture with regard to use of these tricycles. For the avoidance of doubt, I have directed that these tricycles should be allocated to our citizens on the basis of needs. In other words, only those who will directly use them should be allocated. I have also directed that any beneficiary who is found to be operating his tricycle on third party basis should have it withdrawn and re-allocated to another beneficiary. Government is putting in place designated routes for each of the vehicles. Accordingly, machinery has been put in place to ensure full compliance. This is to ensure that all areas affected by the ban on commercial motorcycles benefit from this distribution. Let me also say that the selection of beneficiaries of our scheme is devoid of partisan or other primordial considerations. We have established channels of communication with relevant stakeholders ranging from traditional institutions, the clergy and eminent sons and daughters of the state, our objective is to ensure that only those who really need to be accommodated in this programme are given the opportunity”.
The governor believes that citizens of the state can take the opportunity of the new transport law in the state to invest, saying “our economy will benefit immensely if you invest in the transport sector and assist government to fully migrate from the use of motorcycles to tricycles, taxis and buses. We are all aware of the health hazards, traffic risks and security threats associated with the use of motorcycles as a mode of commercial transportation. I will also call on them to take maximum advantage of this opportunity provided by Government. The repayment plan has been designed in such a way that is realistic, convenient and affordable. It is our hope and desire that the scheme will transform your lives from those of unemployed youths to not only being employed but in the nearest future as employers of labour. I must however warn that Government will not condone default in the repayment plans by beneficiary’s failure to abide by the conditions and terms of engagement will lead to confiscation of the tricycle. You must bear in mind that you were chosen from a list of thousands of others who applied, you must therefore work hard to justify your selection.
Deputy Governor and Chairman of the SURE-P Implementation Committee in the state, Amb. Nuhu Audu Bajoga said that the distribution was in addition to the 700 tricycles distributed by the government in 2013 during the first phase of the SURE-P sectorial Intervention in the transport sector. He stressed that during the first phase, the government distributed of 700 tricycles, 40 Taxis, 35 Mini and 15 Luxurious Buses to various beneficiaries at 50% rebate. This gesture has had positive impact in the wellbeing of beneficiaries and significantly enhanced Commuter Services in the State. He asked beneficiaries, to judiciously utilize these tricycles by sustaining the current atmosphere of orderliness as currently being witnessed in commuter services in the metropolis and environs.
Some analysts in the state has however criticise the amount being paid for the tricycles which they consider as too expensive. Yakubu Musa, a resident of the metropolis told The Nation that giving out a tricycle at the cost of N531,000 is too expensive. He said: “even though they are supposed to pay half of that amount, I must tell you that N531,000 can give you a good car which you can use for commercial purpose. If you consider the fact that these tricycles are not strong, you will realise that the investment is not really worth it. In any case, I commend the government for having the political will to make the investment. But our fear right now is that these tricycles may turn out to be more troublesome than the commercial motorcyclists.”
