The Abia State Government has clarified that it has not banned the operation of tricycles, popularly known as keke, in the state.

It, however, warned that parks operating outside the Nnenna-Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia would be sealed and fined, while vehicles found at such parks would be impounded and offenders prosecuted.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, made the clarification on Friday following a statement he issued on Thursday concerning the activities of keke operators and the numerous parks in the state capital, Umuahia.

The commissioner explained that the restriction only applied to the use of tricycles for long-distance passenger transportation to destinations such as Owerri, Obowo, Mbaise and Arochukwu.

He said the measure was introduced to safeguard the lives of passengers and operators, noting that tricycles were not designed for long-distance travel and posed associated safety risks.

“The government remains committed to ensuring safe, regulated, and efficient transportation across the state,” he said.

According to the statement, “This is to inform the general public, especially tricycle operators, that as part of State Government efforts to ensure sanity, order, and safety on our roads, the Abia State Government hereby directs all Keke operators plying routes from Umuahia to Obowu, Owerri, Ohafia, and Arochukwu are strictly prohibited.

“Any tricycle operator found violating this directive will be arrested and the tricycle impounded. This announcement takes immediate effect.”

The state government also warned park operators who refused to relocate to the ultra-modern Nnenna-Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia to comply with the directive to avoid the wrath of the law.

In the release, also authored by Ukaegbu, the commissioner for transportation warned that the government would not tolerate disobedience by park operators.

According to the release, the Abia State Harmonised Task Force and transport unions had been directed to ensure compliance, as the operation of Akanelu, involving pick-and-drop services by long-distance commercial vehicles, had been banned in the state.

Meanwhile, long-distance keke operators have pleaded with the state government to allow them to operate alongside the state’s Green Shuttle buses, stating that the business was their only means of income.