Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has approved the distribution of 500 tricycles, 100 taxis and 10 buses to streamline transportation in Maiduguri, Jere and in the Konduga Local Government Area.
At the launch, on Thursday, February 10, Zulum’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, said the governor had also approved ₦50 million for 1,000 members of other Keke NAPEP – tricycle – operators who would not benefit from the mass transportation roll-out.
He said each tricycle would be owned by a group of four unemployed people, who would share the profits; the taxis were allocated to 200 people, with each being owned by two people.
Each operator would be assigned routes and communities that they would serve. Their movements could be tracked and monitored.
Not all Maiduguri residents were impressed by the roll-out.
Kaka Gana said many residents suffered because of the lack of transport. “The move by the government is positive but I don’t know if it will be enough to end the transport problems in the metropolis. There is a huge demand for transport. Many people have to walk long distances to get back home after work. In peak traffic times, it is almost impossible to get transport, so they just trek.”
Muhammed Sani Usman, a perishable items seller who goes to the market daily to buy goods, said he had often had to walk from Gamboru market to the Shehu’s palace before he could find an available tricycle.
Thousands of schoolchildren and students had also suffered from the lack adequate transportation.
“My niece almost always gets home late after school. She often has to walk a long way. Apart from the lack of sufficient transport, it is not safe for her and other girls to be walking around late in the afternoon or sometimes even in the evening. They are exposed and at risk of being assaulted or coming to some other harm,” said Usman.
Last year, the Borno State government banned the importation of tricycles in an effort to curtail the high number of crime cases and address the congestion along the main road.
However, the intervention announced on Thursday was based on need, Zulum’s spokesman said.
The government had approved the distribution of more vehicles several times before, but residents said the growing population in the metropolis meant many more tricycles, taxis and buses were needed to stop people having to trek long distances because they could not find transport.
Amina Abbagana
