Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Abia State Government has moved swiftly to quell widespread panic among commercial tricycle operators, clarifying that it has not banned the operation of keke across the state. However, in a sweeping directive that has thrown the transport sector into turmoil, the government has ordered all parks operating outside the Nnenna-Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia to be sealed and fined, with vehicles found at such locations to be impounded and offenders prosecuted. The clarification, issued on Friday, August 14, 2026, by the state Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, followed a statement he had released on Thursday that had triggered fears of a total ban on tricycle operations in the state capital.
The commissioner explained that the restriction only applies to the use of tricycles for long-distance passenger transportation to destinations such as Owerri, Obowo, Mbaise and Arochukwu. According to Ukaegbu, 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. In the earlier directive, the government had ordered all keke operators travelling from Umuahia to Obowo, Owerri, Ohafia and Arochukwu to stop such operations with immediate effect, warning that any operator who violated the directive would be arrested and have their tricycle impounded.
The clarification has done little to assuage the fears of long-distance keke operators, who 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. The operators have argued that the restriction threatens their livelihoods and have proposed a regulated arrangement that would allow them to continue operating while addressing safety concerns. Despite their appeals, the government has remained firm, directing the Abia State Harmonised Task Force and transport unions to ensure compliance.
Beyond the long-distance restrictions, the government has also taken aim at the proliferation of illegal motor parks in Umuahia. According to the commissioner, parks operating outside the Nnenna-Oti Bus Terminal would be sealed and fined, while vehicles found at such locations could be impounded and offenders prosecuted. Transport operators were directed to relocate their activities to the ultra-modern terminal. The government also reiterated its ban on "Akanelu," a pick-and-drop service involving long-distance commercial vehicles, as part of efforts to improve transportation regulation.
The latest directive is part of a broader effort by the Abia State Government to enforce a centralised transport system in Umuahia. In June 2026, the government began enforcing the newly introduced system, with transport operators being relocated in phases to the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal. The first phase involved the Abia Green Shuttle buses, the second phase covered informal transport operators, while the third phase involved formal transport operators. The government had previously announced that defaulters of the policy would pay a N20,000 fine, as against the earlier N50,000 it had initially announced.
The commissioner's clarification seeks to ease tensions among operators in the state capital, many of whom depend on tricycles for their livelihoods. Local keke associations had expressed concern about how the ban might affect their business. The government's move follows mounting complaints about safety risks on major routes where tricycles operate alongside larger vehicles. Officials say the restricted corridors have seen frequent accidents involving tricycles. Enforcement of the ban began immediately after the announcement, with security agencies directed to monitor the affected routes closely.
The Abia State Government's directive has sparked a heated debate about the balance between safety and livelihoods. While the government has justified the restrictions on safety grounds, operators have argued that the measure will push them out of business. The government has maintained that the restriction only applies to long-distance routes and does not amount to a total ban on tricycles in the state. However, the enforcement of the park relocation directive has raised questions about the availability of space at the Nnenna-Oti Bus Terminal and the capacity of the terminal to accommodate all operators.
The directive also raises questions about the government's commitment to engaging with stakeholders before implementing such sweeping changes. The operators have called on the government to reconsider the restriction and explore a solution that would address safety concerns without completely affecting their businesses. They have proposed operating alongside the state-owned Green Shuttle buses, arguing that such an arrangement could provide room for both public transportation initiatives and existing operators.
As the enforcement of the directive begins, the people of Abia State are left to grapple with the implications of the government's latest transport policy. The clarification that keke is not banned has provided some relief, but the restrictions on long-distance routes and the relocation of parks have created new challenges for operators and commuters alike. The government has made it clear that it will not tolerate disobedience by park operators, and the Abia State Harmonised Task Force and transport unions have been directed to ensure compliance. For now, the fate of long-distance keke operators hangs in the balance, as they await the outcome of their appeal to the government.
The Abia State Government's directive is a significant step in its efforts to regulate the transport sector and improve road safety. However, the success of the policy will depend on the government's ability to balance its regulatory objectives with the livelihoods of operators. The operators have made their position clear: they are willing to comply with regulations, but they need a solution that allows them to continue earning a living. The government has an opportunity to engage with the operators and find a middle ground that addresses both safety and economic concerns. Whether it will seize that opportunity remains to be seen.
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