Group laments hardship to Lagosians from restriction on Keke Marwa

A GROUP of human rights organisations under the aegis of Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, has appealed to the Lagos State government to lift the restriction it placed on the operation of commercial tricycle operators also called Keke Marwa in some areas of the metropolis. The restriction, it says has brought suffering to the operators, who depend on it for a legitimate livelihood as the families of those affected are now going hungry. The restriction at present is being enforced in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ikeja , Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Obalende and Victoria Island among others. The National Cordinator, Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, Declan Ihekaire, who addressed journalists recently at the venue that was surrounded by the police, lamented that the restriction had also brought immense hardship on people, particularly women, the aged and children who are having difficulty finding affordable means of transportation. The group wondered why the government that claims to have the interest of the masses at heart could go ahead and inflict so much pain on its citizens. According to Ihekaire, “Lagos cannot lay claim to being a mega city than major cities in India, China and Korea where tricycle is being used as a means of transportation. “If tricycle is better than motorcycles and the Lagos State government still wants to ban them, then it could be concluded that the current administration in Lagos is anti-masses.” He also wondered why the government that banned motorcycles on roads in the state is alleged to be introducing CC 200 motorcycles. “The motorcycles that the government may be planning to introduce is faster and more suitable even for the so -called robbery attacks that the government thinks they can curb by banning motorcycles”, Ihekaire said.

By Adeniyi Adunola and Tolulope Okunlola