The
last time I checked, the entire commercial tricycle riders operating within the
five-kilometre-radius of the Owerri metropolis had been given till 30th
September 2017 to vacate the said territory. The press release, which was
issued by the Imo State government penultimate week, implies that as from the
first day of October this year, the concerned commuters would cease to be
recognized by the apt authorities.
The moment I got the info, the first
statement I made was ‘Imo is at it again’. The exclamation was informed by the
obvious fact that this is happening barely few days after the revered Ekeukwu
Owerre market was eventually relocated amidst several disagreements cum mixed
feelings. In fact, if I am opportune to reiterate the exclamation, I would
rather say, Governor Okorocha is at it again.
It’s noteworthy that the directive was
necessitated by the apparent ugly outlook the riders of the affected vehicle
otherwise known widely as ‘Keke’ have constituted within the nooks and crannies
of the city in question since its inception, thereby showcasing what could best
be described as a ‘menace’. It’s not anymore news that in recent times, in
terms of traffic congestion, virtually all the tricycle operators have
ostensibly become worst than the riders of commercial motorcycle – popularly
referred to as ‘Okada’ – that were banned from operating in the city years ago.
Notwithstanding, we shouldn’t forget that the Keke has been very helpful to the
teeming populace in their day-to-day lives.
It is equally worthy of note that the
government has already made available Sport cars – to be called TAXIMO – that
would replace the about-to-be banned vehicles. The cars are reportedly to be leased
to interested commercial drivers on a hire purchase basis at the rate of one
million naira. According to the government, if fully implemented, the proposed
initiative would tremendously help to restore sanity within the shores of
Owerri and its environs.
I wish
to inform the government ably led by Gov. Rochas Okorocha that the notice is
too short for the concerned individuals to properly prepare themselves towards
embracing the forthcoming rainy day. On this note, I appeal on their behalf, for
the September 30 to be extended to a further date, preferably in December 2017,
to enable them be adequately equipped to face the challenges ahead.
The short quit notice might not be
unconnected with the governor’s leadership mantra that says that the Rescue
Mission Administration is ‘in a hurry to develop Imo State’. This kept me
pondering over how much in haste is the government towards bringing the said
change. However, no matter the intensity of the quest, it must take into
cognizance that if the proposed initiative is not well implemented, it would
end up causing more harm to the generality of the state than good.
No sane and rational being that does not yearn
for positive change, but it’s pertinent to understand that the way and manner
we go about it would have a great role to play in the long run. It suffices to
say that whatever that is worth doing is worth doing well. This, we must not
take for granted if truly the interest of Imolites at large is being considered
as priority.
The proposed one million naira ought
to equally be reviewed for the good of the prospective beneficiaries and the
Owerri residents in general. Let there be a downward review of the stipulated
amount, so they can pay up the debt in time and thereafter be recognized as car
owners. This no doubt would go a very long way in increasing their respective
daily earnings, thus motivating their individual selves. We need to acknowledge
that the amount to be attached to the car would affect the price per passenger
to be billed by the drivers.
Pricing is indeed a very crucial
factor required to be considered while introducing an initiative of such into a
system. In this case, the transport sector is in question. Taking Owerri as a
case study, it’s worth noting that at the moment, no tricycle rider would
charge his passengers more than fifty naira for any drop regardless of the
distance. So, any change in this as a result to the incoming initiative would
amount to unease among the concerned commuters.
The government should also ensure that
the cars are enough to replace the number of the affected tricycles. Anything
less than this would on the contrary contribute immensely in increasing
congestion within the territory, because commuters seeking for commercial
transit would overpower the available vehicles.
There is as well an inevitable need
for the prospective drivers to be placed on an intensive training. The
suggested training should inculcate, but not limited to, holistic traffic orientation,
driving workshop and day-to-day vehicle maintenance. This would help to imbibe
sound culture in them with a view to doing the needful as long as they operate
the vehicles within the roads of Owerri.
Above all, a special team ought to be
set up by the government to ensure proper sustenance of the initiative.
Overtime, lack of maintenance culture has contributed immensely in bedeviling
various laudable programmes embarked upon by governments at all levels, thus
introduction of TAXIMO into the roads of Owerri wouldn’t be an exception.
Against this backdrop, I enjoin that whatever team to be inaugurated to oversee
the sustainability of this project must comprise experienced stakeholders from
all angles including transporters, disciplinarians as well as administrators.
Imolites yearn for a project or an initiative
that would stand the test of time; a programme that would remain after many
years of gracious exit of the Rescue Mission government. This is surely the
dream of all, and not mine. Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri________________________________
Twitter: @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/TheMediaAmbassador
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