Abia Govt To Conduct Biometric Data Capturing For Keke NAPEP Riders

Operators of tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP in Umuahia and Aba are to undergo biometric capturing and obtain rider’s permits in Abia State.

According to the State Ministry of Transport, the exercise is to be coordinated by leaders of various tricycle unions in the State per the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The permanent secretary, ministry of transport, Ijeoma Okere made this known in Umuahia, adding that rider’s permit would be issued after the biometric capturing exercise.

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The ministry said the venues for the planned biometric capture are offices of tricycle unions and accredited cyber cafes.

According to the statement, the riders were advised to obey the directive in their own interest as enforcement of the policy would start in the State.

But some Keke NAPEP riders, who spoke on the proposed biometric verification, accused leaders of the tricycle unions of allegedly colluding with the State Ministry of transport to make money from them, arguing that the policy is more of revenue drive for the government.

However, some tricycle operators expressed their willingness to key into the biometric policy but appealed to the State government to make the rider’s permit affordable for them.

The State Ministry of transport has always maintained that the policy was aimed at getting the accurate date of Keke NAPEP operators in Abia, with a view to maintaining security and orderliness in the State.