Delta Govt Suspends N12,000 ‘Keke’ Levy After Protests in Warri, Udu

The Delta State Ministry of Transportation has suspended its earlier directive imposing a twelve thousand naira fee on commercial tricycle riders, commonly known as ‘Keke,’ in the Udu, Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.

In a phone interview with Warri Sentinel, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, confirmed the development. He explained that the Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, had instructed the leadership of the Tricycle Riders’ Union to halt the collection of the twelve thousand naira levy until a meeting with stakeholders. However, the daily levy of 300 naira will remain in place.

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The suspension follows protests by Keke riders in the three local governments on Tuesday, April 1. The protesters expressed their displeasure with the levy, claiming it was intended for the purchase of stickers, aprons, and waste bins.

Some of the demonstrators in Udu and Pessu in Warri-South argued that the fee was excessive, especially given the current economic challenges.

Warri Sentinel also learned that riders were allegedly being forced to pay a 100 naira fee to police officers for each trip, adding even more strain to their already difficult situation.

Riders have also raised concerns about the safety risks of carrying waste bins in their tricycles. They worry that criminals could use the bins to hide illegal items, which could lead to wrongful arrests and other issues for innocent drivers.

Our correspondent reports that the protests caused disruption for commuters, with many people now having to walk to work or find themselves stranded as Keke riders stop operating.