Following the ban of the activities of commercial motorcyclists otherwise known as ‘Achaba’ in Bauchi State as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, the state governor, Bala Mohammed, said government has concluded plans to procure 500 tricycles (KEKE NAPEPS) for distribution to riders as alternative means of transportation.
Recall that the state government, after banning achaba recently, gave approval to KEKE NAPEPS operators to carry only two passengers in line with the social distancing policy.
Governor Bala, while addressing traditional, religious leaders, and other stakeholders at a stakeholders meeting on COVID-19 held Thursday at command guest house, Bauchi, said the tricycles to be purchased would be distributed to the achaba riders on loan at subsidised rate.
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He said the decision was necessary in order to address their scarcity and ease movements of people who do not have vehicles.
He charged the citizens across the state to comply with the order on the partial lockdown imposed by the government and ban on all forms of gatherings so that they can stay safe and healthy.
Contributing, one of the participants at the meeting and an islamic preacher, Malam Yahaya Mai Tauhidi, lamented the hike in the fares charged by KEKE NAPEPS riders as a result of the ban of achaba, as he asked the Governor to do something to avoid it.
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He also tasked the government on regular sanitation of the state and evacuation of refuse dumped in different areas of the state capital to avoid transmission of infectious diseases.
Another cleric, Dr Mansur Isa Yelwa, appealed to the Governor to be inspecting the isolation centres periodically to ensure that patients are properly fed and catered for to prevent them from protesting or escaping from the centres, mingling with other people.
(Photo: File)
