7th June, 2011
Leader of Tricycle Operators Union in Lagos, southwest Nigeria at the weekend explained why most of their operators are fond of carrying more than the three approved passengers per trip
Alhaji Mufutau Mogaji, chairman, Cele Unit of the Union said that the individuals who mostly purchased tricycles and give them out on hire purchase, are partly to blame for the constant overloading of the tricycles.
Mogaji spoke with P.M.NEWS during a seminar for Keke NAPEP operators organized by the Surulere Unit of the Federal Roads Safety Commission in Costain area of Lagos.
He further explained that: “After handing over the tricycle, which is bought for about N600,000 to us, the owners would immediately begin to put pressure on the operators to ensure that our people pay back the money with interest within a year.”
This, he said, “could make some of us to be reckless, aggressive and impatient in dealing with passengers, as we want to make as much money as possible before the end of the day.”
“This is one of the reasons why our operators carry four instead of the three passengers approved by the government.
However, Gregory Drambir, Surulere unit commander of FRSC assured the over 300 Keke NAPEP operators that attended the seminar that with sponsorship from public spirited individuals and corporate bodies, the commission will continue to hold free seminars, where commercial transport drivers will be enlightened on the nitty gritty of road safety.
—Emmanuel Udom