Some residents of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed their worries over the influx of unregistered motorcycle operators in spite of a ban on their operations by the area council.
The Kuje Area Council administration had on May 12 placed a ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles with the introduction of tricycle as a means of transportation in the area.
The administration stated that the increasing number of unregistered motorcycles in the area was exposing the residents to criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry.
Meanwhile some residents, who made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kuje, a suburb of the FCT, on Tuesday, described the development as “a treat to security” in the area.
Abraham Gado, a resident of Kuchiyako Community in Kuje, said “With the security challenges in the country now, you cannot imagine the number of motorcyclists that have moved into Kuje, despite the ban imposed by the area council.
“Almost all the commercial and privately-owned motorcycles operate without registered number plates. The riders are reckless and passengers are at their mercy.
“They do not belong to any association or union, and the worst is that we do not even know where many of them come from or reside.
“It will require the political will of the leadership of the area council to ensure the protection of lives and property in Kuje.”
Another resident, James Mark of Kayarda community, said “We are faced with the menace of commercial motorcyclists who torment other road users with their reckless riding.
“They also park indiscriminately along the road, thereby making movement difficult for other road users.
“We should not allow any group of persons to be above the law and hold majority to ransom.”
He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to see to it that motorcyclists in the area adhered to traffic rules and regulations.
On his part, Balla Usman called on the FRSC officials to partner with the area council in ensuring that the motorcycles were registered and issued plate number for easy identification.
“You cannot imagine the number of motorcyclists that would immediately converge whenever any motorcycle operator is involved in a minor accident with a car; even when they are at fault.
“The dilapidated roads are also not something to write home about, especially during this rainy season; the road users are facing untold hardships,” he said.
