Kaduna motorcyclists urged to steer clear of major roads
Commercial Motorcyclists, also called Achaba, have been urged to stay clear of major roads within Kaduna metropolis or risk confiscation of their motorcycles.
Arewa Trust Weekly reports that Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (KASTELEA) has continued to enforce a ban on motorcycles around major streets by confiscating them.
At the Leventis roundabout by Ahmadu Bello Way, dozens of motorcycles were seen seized by KASTELEA with the owners pleading for their release. One of the commercial motorcyclists, Abubakar Ibrahim, told our correspondent that he was unlucky to have been caught despite not carrying a passenger.
Abubakar, who was seen hanging on the spot to see what could be done to free his motorcycle, said though he was aware of the ban on motorcycles, he has, in the past, evaded arrest because he plies areas that are not manned by security agents.
However, the Head of Public Affairs of KASTELEA, Joy Zome, said a ban on commercial motorcycles has been in place since 2014 but the practice still persists. Zemo said when motorcycles are seized, there is no option of release to the owners as required by law and only the state government has the right to relax or change the policy.
“The ban is on commercial motorcycles but when a motorcyclist drives without a crash helmet, he can be apprehended. Also, there are routes that they are not meant to ply; failure to obey the rules would attract fines.”
She said traffic offences vary and have different fines but violators are expected to pay N5,000 for driving without a crash helmet.