Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended the Nigerian military over the recent gains recorded against Boko Haram’s fighters in Gwoza and the road leading to the northern part of the State.
Zulum, in Maiduguri, yesterday hosted operators of ‘Keke-NAPEP’, during which he directed the procurement of 500 tricycles and 100 Toyota cars (Corolla LE) for subsidised allocations.
At the Government House meeting, whichwas held at his instance, Gov. Zulum explained that about 2000 Keke-NAPEP operators who currently do not have their own tricycles will benefit from the intervention, in which case, four (4) operators will be allocated one tricycle for shared business, which indirectly means 2,000 operators will own the 500 tricycles. He said another 200 persons will jointly own 100 Toyota cars.
Zulum further announced that as subsidy, all 2,200 beneficiaries will be required to repay only 50% of the market value of the tricycles and cars, which they will generate from the business while the State government will waive the remaining 50%.
The Governor directed the State’s ministry of transportation to liaise with various unions of the tricycle operators to agree on suitable and acceptable modalities for the allocation. He, however, warned that only deserving members who do not have their tricycle should be considered.
The Governor recalled that while the government had banned the importation of tricycles into Maiduguri to curtail cases of crimes committed and address congestions along the main roads, the coming intervention is based on need.
He further said all measures were in the best interest of the tricycle riders while acknowledging the huge employment opportunities it has provided.
One of the union leaders amongst the operators, Hurso Grema, expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for the coming intervention and for some regulatory measures introduced by the Government which, according to him, had saved their occupation from incursions by bad elements who hitherto tried using tricycles for criminal acts.
Zulum had last year, allocated similar tricycles and cars to operators in Biu town.
