FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed that commercial motorcycles, commonly called Okada, and tricycles, known as Keke Napep, remain prohibited from operating inside the Abuja city center. During a recent media briefing, the Minister stated that this decision stems from a security council meeting where these vehicles were identified as a significant safety risk to the public.
Wike noted that while a total territory-wide ban is challenging to execute, he has instructed security personnel to designate specific exclusion zones. The administration aims to curb these operations in areas where they pose the greatest threat.
Regarding the rise of street beggars and destitute individuals in the capital, Wike explained that his administration is currently seeking the necessary logistical support to relocate them. However, he emphasized the difficulty of keeping them off the streets, as past removal efforts were temporary. The Minister dismissed calls for the government to provide housing for these individuals, warning that such measures would likely draw more people from neighboring states like Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna, placing an unsustainable burden on the FCT’s resources.
