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The Lagos State Government says it will soon introduce new tricycles in the state to gradually replace 'Keke Marwa' and commercial motorcycles.
The Lagos State Government says it will soon introduce new tricycles in the state to gradually replace 'Keke Marwa' and commercial motorcycles.
The State Commissioner for Rural Infrastructure, Mr Lanre Balogun, told journalists on Saturday that the scheme had been approved by the state executive council.
'As soon as we receive the first batch of 100 out of the 500 units of the tricycles, the scheme would kick off,' he said.
He said that the scheme conceived by the state government under the Lagos State Rural Transportation Initiative, would be supervised by his ministry when it became operational.
'The new tricycles with doors have capacities to carry between four and 10 passengers depending on the area of operation within the state,‘‘ he explained.
Balogun listed the advantages in the scheme to include empowering the people to earn a living and cater for their families.
'Through it, it will promote the transfer of technology for the users who will be trained on how to effect certain repairs with its components.
'Also the drivers of the tricycles will be trained as professional drivers to understand the traffic codes and ethics and not mess the roads as is done by the present okada riders,‘‘ he said.
Balogun stated that their operations would be restricted to certain areas within the state and that they would not be allowed to operate on the highways.
The tricycles would be used to carry passengers and goods from the rural areas to the city centres and return.
'The tricycles will be in three classes. There will be those that will convey four passengers which would cost about N350,000,' he said.
'The second grade which would cost about N500,000.00 will be for eight passengers while the third class which would cost N650,000 per unit would be for 10 passengers,‘‘ he said.
Balogun added that beneficiaries would deposit N100,000.00 as initial deposit for each while instalment payment would depend on the beneficiaries‘ efficiency.
'The tricycle becomes the property of the beneficiary on full payment even as mechanic centres have been built in strategic places in Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe where major repairs will be effected.
He said the present administration would concentrate more on people oriented programmes.
'It is the provision of their infrastructure needs by the government that translate into development and the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy by them,'‘ he said.
'It will not be ideal for people to be drinking from streams in this present age in a mega city like Lagos,‘‘ he added