Abia Govt Breaks Silence On Keke Ban, Reveals Fate Of Operators

The Abia State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that commercial tricycles, popularly known as Keke, will be banned across the state, assuring operators and residents that there is currently no plan to stop their activities.

The government said its priority is to regulate the operations of Keke operators and other commercial transport providers in order to improve the state’s transportation system, ease congestion and promote a cleaner and more efficient environment.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu explained that the government would not impose a blanket ban on Keke operations without a compelling reason, noting that the number of tricycle operators in the state had increased following restrictions placed on their activities in some neighbouring states.

He said the administration would instead focus on streamlining their activities and ensuring that operators comply with appropriate regulations.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state was preparing to repatriate and reintegrate another batch of Abia residents affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

According to him, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection is coordinating the process in collaboration with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa. The ministry is also identifying and verifying other stranded residents who may require assistance to return home.

Kanu assured affected residents that the state government would continue to provide support to those facing difficult circumstances abroad.

On infrastructure, the commissioner revealed that direct-labour maintenance had been carried out at 43 locations across the state, while two projects had been completed.

The completed projects include the 5.2-kilometre rainy-season maintenance of the Umuehim-Okpuala Ngwa Road, which connects Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas, and the 250-metre access road to Chidi Ubani Memorial Hospital at the Obingwa Local Government Headquarters.

He said 26 road projects remained under contract, although heavy rainfall had affected construction activities in some areas. Survey and inspection exercises are also ongoing to ensure contractors adhere to approved road alignments, levels and specifications.

Kanu further described the 2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting as an important platform for grassroots development and women’s empowerment across the state’s 17 local government areas.

He said the initiative had expanded beyond its traditional cultural and social activities to incorporate skills acquisition, economic empowerment, social protection and assistance for vulnerable women.

The commissioner said the programme was in line with Governor Otti’s commitment to empowering women and the First Lady’s agenda for women’s mobilisation and development.

He also disclosed that eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence were recorded by the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres during the period under review, involving survivors aged between four and 25.

According to him, alleged perpetrators included neighbours, landlords, family members and an employee, with some victims reportedly subjected to repeated abuse.

Kanu said the survivors were receiving medical, psychosocial and legal support, while the centres were working with security agencies to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Maureen Aghaukwa, said the government supported women during the August meeting through skills-acquisition programmes and the distribution of various empowerment items.

The briefing was also attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, and the state’s Chief Information Officer, Gerald Illukwe.