10 Profound Statements By Keke Napep Operators On Lagos Ban
The ban on tricycles (Keke Napep) and motorcycles (Okada) in certain areas of Lagos state took effect from today, February 1, 2020.
Residents and operators have registered their dissatisfaction with the development, with many faulting the government’s inability to provide alternative means of transportation and livelihood for all affected parties before going ahead with the ban.
Neusroom spoke with a number of Keke Napep operators in Ikeja on Friday (a day before the ban took effect) and they didn’t hold back in expressing their grievances.
Here are 10 of the most profound statements made by the operators:
1. Lekan, a visibly distraught operator who wonders what would become of the affected riders, says “Some of us used to be armed robbers, but repented due to the daily income from this Keke business, Lekan, still trying to come to terms with the government’s decision.”
2. Another operator who only named herself Iron Lady and one of very few women engaging in tricycle business, expresses her worry about the future of her children. She says “I train my three children with the money from this Keke business. My husband is late.”
3. Akanni Abiodun Ashimiyu echoes Iron Lady’s sentiments. He says, “I have a wife and three children, where does the government want us to start from?”
The tricycle operators have graduates amongst them. Those who have struggled to secure jobs since graduating from school.
4. One of such operators, Andrew Okeje who appeared calmer than his colleagues but is visibly worried about his next line of action, says: “Most of us are graduates, this is the only source of income we have.”
5. Akanni, who appeared desperate for the government to reverse the decision, adds, “I used to be a furniture maker but business was not moving well. So I started the Keke business to take care of my family. How do I now return home to them with nothing?”
6. “If you’re telling us you don’t want Keke Napep again in Lagos, how do you want us to survive?” Lekan, fiddling with his concoction drink, chips in.
7. Joy, another woman who is confused about how her family will survive, says “I’m not saying they shouldn’t ban Keke, but before you stop someone from eating, you have to make alternative provision for the person to eat.”
8. Akanni, expressing worry at a potential increase in crime rate in Lagos as a result of the ban, says “We are still begging God to continue to use this Keke business to change the lives of the riders that used to rob people.”
9. Stanley Eze, a Lagos resident who sympathises with the operators, says “Government banning Keke Napep and Okada without providing another means of survival for the drivers doesn’t make sense.”
10. “Our governor, please have pity on us because we don’t have any other work apart from this Keke Marwa,” Iron Lady pleads.
Watch video below:
