All vehicle riders in Abia State, especially tricycle (Keke Napep) operators who drive against traffic would now be subjected to compulsory tests after which they would pay fines.
This new measure was disclosed on Tuesday, by the general manager of .(TIMAAS), Mr Bright Chibedu Ikeokwu in a statement he personally signed.
The GM explained that the new measure would become effective from Thursday, 1st October, 2020, adding that it was introduced to sanitise Abia roads of reckless driving and to save lives of passengers and pedestrians.
The statement read in part; “This is to inform the general public, especially the tricycle operators that, starting from 1st October, 2020, anyone caught driving against traffic (one way) in the state must be subjected to a psychological/psychiatric test as the law stipulates.
“This is to ascertain the mental status of such offenders. The result of the above stated test must be presented before payment of any fine,” the General Manager of TIMAAS, Ikeokwu warned.
Similarly, the secretary of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, Hon Eddy Anyanwu has explained that the planned introduction of electronic form of ticketing is aimed at stopping revenue fraudsters in the state. He noted that it was in the interest of the Keke riders and urged them to cooperate with the scheme as it would favour them.
Anyanwu made the explanation in his office at No. 2 Aba road, Umuahia, Wednesday and insisted that all tricycle unions in the state were duly consulted and they consented to it.
