Nasarawa Tricycle Riders Justifies Hike In Transport Fare, Blames It On Turbulent Economy.

Nathaniel Gbaoron, Lafia

Abubakar Sule, chairman, Nasarawa state trycycles owners Association, popularly known as “Keke riders” Under National commercial tricycles owners Rider Association has called on trycyclist users in the state not to shift the recent fare increment to operators of “Keke” but to also look at the turbulent chaotic and unstatic economic situation in the county.

The Chairman stated this in an exclusive interview with MoneyCentral correspondent in his office, about the recent soar relations between users and operators of the machines in the state.

The chairman explained that the upshot of the trycycles fare in the state, is not unconnected with the price  of the machines which is over a million naira now instead of  Six or Seven hundred thousand naira.

Again he said the price of  spear part, servicing rate and increment in fuel price has skyrocketed likewise the daily remittance to owners of the machines, which was between #1,500 to #2,000 before, now is #2,500 to #3,000.

“As it is, the increment is not much and not every road,  witness the slides change, so as a union leader we held a meeting and arrived as follows, Lafia Jos road from AY Shafa filling station to Isa Mustapha Agwai polytechnic, was #50 now #70, roundabout to college of Agric, was #70 now #80, shabu, stand at #100, sabon-pegi was #100 now #130, Azuba bashayi, before #120, now is #150,

“Makurdi road from roundabout to Mararaba was #70, as only #10  is added to it, to Akunza,was #80, but at present,#20 has been added, Agwede,#150 instead of the previous #120, Bukan kwoto, #80 to #100, heavy duty Park movies from #130 to #150, while in Shendam road from total station to Akurba, #80 against #70, to Angwan Rere was #80 now is #100 also to Baking rijia was #100 but #20 has been added to it” the union head explained.

Sule, also revealed his achievement in the union’s cycle to the orderly coordination of members and quick intervention, approach to matters including accidents or otherwise.

On the issue of membership, he explained that before one become a member of the  association, he must be registered and a file is open and with the Nasarawa state number on it as “we work hand in hand with the state government after which you undergo a proper orientation, how you conduct your self while on the road and how you  attend to passengers.

Commenting on the conduct of the riders perio to president Mohamed Buhari’s visit to Nasarawa state, he maintained that “we’ve been having series of meetings where I advise them to drive carefully for a lot of visitors are coming into the state capital every day as such decorum should be maintained” Abubakar added.