Abia tricycle operators protest revocation of operational approval by transport ministry

…Seek second union to encourage competition

Abia State tricycle operators under the auspices of Real Keke Operators Association (REKOAA), Tuesday, carried out a peaceful demonstration to protest what they termed the unjust revocation of Certificate of Approval by the State Ministry of Transport, headed by Isaac Chimezie Ukaegbu.

They said that the certificate was revoked on April 14, 2025, after meeting the Ministry’s requirements.

Demanding justice, Jude Michael, secretary REKOAA, argued that they met all requirements set out by the Ministry, earned them the approval, but wondered why the certificate issued to enable them to operate as a group was revoked.

“We have appealed to the State Government on many occasions to look into the matter, but they paid deaf ears to us. Since they have rejected us, we won’t reject ourselves now. We may have to pitch our tent with those who won’t reject us when elected.

“Up till now, the Abia State Government has not told us why they revoked our certificate. This time, we are voting for someone who will restore our certificate.

“Under the leadership of Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), they cannot establish a good working relationship with Abia Harmonised Taskforce. As a result, Keke operators now offload passengers inside fuel stations, which is wrong.

“The Harmonised Taskforce now hunts Keke operators every day to make ends meet. ASTOPU and their disciples have recently introduced yearly waste buckets, which means that every tricycle operator must change waste buckets every year, against the wishes of our amiable Governor, whose priority is the well-being of the people.

“We in REKOAA succeeded in reducing criminality in Abia State, by those bad eggs, who were using tricycles to perpetrate crime, through our day-and-night tactical collaboration with security agencies to apprehend these bad eggs among us.

“Most of the robbers have fled the state, and we will continue to do our best, as we promised two years ago when the State Government wanted to limit our time of operations as a result of the high rise in criminal activities from those bad eggs.

“This crowd you see today is the affirmation that tricycle operators are demanding justice for REKOAA. Competition is the key to every successful government, business, and venture. Tricycle operators demand a second union for healthy competition,” they pleaded.