KEKE the untapped revenue source in Imo By AnslemsNze Since the ban on the use of motorcycles (aka Okada) as a means of transport in Owerri metropolis and the subsequent introduction of the tricycle otherwise called KEKE by the last administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, accidents and snatching of peoples’ bags have reduced drastically. Although, some lawless Security Agents have violated this ban which some miscreants hide under such cover to record some cases of sporadic snatching of bags and crimes with motorbikes inside the metropolis. Imo people who hitherto vowed not to ride in the three-legged vehicle now enjoy the safety associated with keke. Keke as a form of transportation has improved the economy of the state; improved the cash level of the businessmen who make these kekes available for hire purchase thereby relieving the government of the burden of providing jobs for the keke riders Keke has also provided jobs for over 20,000 people both young and old, which is more than the number of civil servants in Imo state. The Government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha recently directed each local government area of the state to source for N5m monthly to assist the state in its massive infrastructural development. This demand has put most of the Sole Administrators, in disarray. Even most of the state ministries and parastatals cannot raise this amount monthly in all their activities. The state government spends a huge chunk of the Federal allocation on the payment of workers’ salaries and allowances on monthly basis without which strike actions ensue. With the legion of projects being embarked upon by the state government, all areas must be tapped to oil the wheel of progress running through the entire state. KEKE OPERETORS must not be left out. Keke operators must be made to contribute their own quota to the success of the rescue mission administration. All the road networks in the state are being used by the keke riders to make their daily income. It is sad to note that the Imo Pilot Transport Association led by Mr. Ojukwu is alleged of charging N2,800.00 for fleet numbers instead of N1,800.00 the initial charge. Again, there are reported cases of beating and impounding people’s keke, by an unrecognized Union called AMTT which has started fleeting some kekes in the town and has taken the Imo Pilot Transport Association to court which is more recognized and given office accommodation by the government at the Heroes Square. We can vividly recall that Gov. Rochas Okorocha on 22 May, 2012 at the premises of Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies, ICAPS, while inaugurating the Imo Security Network said “all the Kekes operating in the State capital, Owerri, must be SPECIALLY NUMBERED.” And that keke should operate within specified time frame because of the security challenges in the state. The Union Leaders now decided to carry out the directives of the Governor . Charging N1,800.00 for each keke as follows; Emblem for the year, N500.00 Biometric data capture, N500.00 Labour for numbering, N300.00 Union fee N500.00 Every positive minded keke rider should appreciate that this amount is not outrageous. An average keke rider makes not less than #4,000.00 daily and must be made to contribute to the development of the state. This can be taken as his own tax. The writer of this article who is also a keke rider, is talking from experience. Even the Union saved the members from the high amount the Ministry of Special Duties and Transport wanted to charge for the same job. In a Circular Ref MOT/S.77/VO/1/1 dated 26th November,2012 and captioned 2013 IMO STATE TRICYCLE BIOMETRIC DATA/REGULATION; signed by Igwe VC, ACIO, It stipulates that; BIOMETRIC DATA CAPTURE/ PERMIT, N2,000.00, TRAINING WITH MANUAL , N1,000.00, CERTIFICATE OF ROAD WORTHINESS/ INSPECTION, N 1,250.00 EMBLEM TICKET (YEARLY), N 500.00, ASSOCIATION (IMO PILOTS) N 500.00 amounting N5,250.00 Keke operators pay N50.00 daily so where did the Union Leaders go wrong? There is the need that all kekes must be numbered for obvious reasons. It will enable the government to know how many people that are engaged in this all important sector and how to plan for these keke riders . Passengers will as well be at ease with the keke operators for they can easily pick up their numbers when the need arises. It will also most importantly help the government know that keke is another “Gold Mine” which the government must harness for revenue generation than leaving it in the hands of touts and mediocres man hates to be controlled. The government should as a matter of urgency, set up a department in the Ministry of Transport to oversee the activities of this money-minting group but-unknown by the government over the years. A simple arithmetic can show how viable keke is, even more than any local government area or ministry in the state. With about 17,000 kekes have so far been registered if you multiply 17,000 by N1,800 you will get about N30m which has been spent as stated above. But the daily ticket of N50 is still there to be tapped. Again, if you multiply 17,000 kekes by N50 you get about N850,000 a day. Then multiply this amount by 6 days of the week and you find yourself at N5.1m week when you go further to multiply this amount by 4 weeks that make up month, you get about N20.4m monthly. In a month, about N20m can be injected into the government’s treasury, which no LGA or Ministry can realize. Government will be getting this mouth watering sum without paying salaries and allowances to the keke riders as it does to the civil servants. This amount goes to the purse of the government completely. So who is calling for the stoppage of keke operation in Owerri, when N20m can be gotten from keke on a monthly basis and people and goods are freely moved from one point to the other. The payment of this daily ticket must be guaranteed by ensuring that keke riders pay monthly and a ticket or receipt issued to them before operating for that month to avoid running away from paying it. Again, after payments of these tickets the keke rider will be issued with TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE as his benefit should he wish to run for a political position in future.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:02:26 +0000
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