…vows to be their voice, ensure their welfare if elected
*As Keke riders, mini-bus drivers endorse him
By Ime Silas
Candidate for the Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Ikakke Bassey, has pledged to advocate for policies that would reposition commercial tricycle and mini-bus operators as key contributors to Akwa Ibom’s economy, promising reforms that will plow part of their daily levies back into their welfare.
Bassey made the commitment yesterday during a consultation meeting with members of “The Great Keke Riders” in Uyo. He said that if elected at the 2027 polls, he would use his position to ensure that the transport sector, which currently generates billions in revenue for the state, is no longer treated as an afterthought.
“I am assuring you today that you will have a voice through me and that voice will be heard, and never to be relegated again to the background” Bassey said.
Billions in daily levies, little data in return
According to figures referenced by the national assembly hopeful, the commercial transport sector in Uyo alone contributes significantly to state coffers. Citing data from the Akwa Ibom State University Journal of Administration and Corporate Governance, he noted that as of 2023, there were 10,500 registered Keke riders in Uyo. However, an executive of the Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Association, AKTA, told him during the meeting that the number of registered riders is now “well above 15,000.”
With each registered rider paying a daily ticket fee of N200, Bassey said the contribution from Keke operators exceeds N1.1 billion annually.
Mini-bus operators are also major contributors. Mr. Ikakke Bassey stated that there are about 8,000 registered mini-buses in Uyo, each paying N300 daily in tickets. That translates to over N864, 000,000.00 (Eight hundred and sixty four million naira) annually. Combined, he estimated that Keke riders and mini-bus drivers generate about N2 billion yearly for the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Despite the huge inflow, Bassey criticized the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Transportation for not publishing official data on registered commercial Keke riders and mini-buses.
“Let me also declare here today that the absence of data from the ministry of transport is a deliberate attempt to hide from the public what it generates from this commercial riders,” he maintained.
“I had to do my internal findings plus insight from the research by the AKSU Journal of Administration and Corporate Governance.”
“You are entrepreneurs, not nuisance”
Bassey, who is seeking to represent the state capital and its three neighboring local government areas, said his interest is to shape national legislation and federal oversight that will compel state policies to recognize the transport sector as a formal part of the economy.
“I want government to see you, the Keke riders and Bus Drivers not as nuisance, but entrepreneurs, responsible citizens who have contributed hugely to the revenue of the State,” he said, stressing that “As such, you must be captured in government policies and programs.”
He proposed that 20 percent of the cumulative annual revenue generated by the operators be earmarked specifically for their welfare. Under his plan, the funds would be used to build, maintain and sustain at least 50 Free Service Centers across Uyo metropolis and its suburbs. The centers, he explained, would allow riders and drivers to drive in at any time for minor repairs at no cost.
Bassey also called for free emergency medical care for registered operators. He suggested that with a valid MOT number, a Keke rider or bus driver involved in an accident should be able to walk into any general hospital and receive immediate treatment.
“That way, the government would have directly impacted you by plowing back part of the taxes you pay to making life easy for you,” he said.
“As commercial transporters, you deserve free emergency medical care in case of accident or any mishaps. By that, not only will life be made easy for you, it will also change the way the operators in this very important sector look at themselves.”
2027 pitch
The consultation comes early ahead of the 2027 elections, with political mobilization already building in Akwa Ibom’s capital city. The Uyo Federal Constituency is considered a key battleground due to its urban population and high concentration of commercial transport workers.
In a bold statement presenting himself the only alternative for the commercial transporters, Ikakke stressed: “You, the Keke riders and mini-bus drivers need a voice that will echo loudly to the government concerning these issues I have mentioned and many others of your concerns, and I am that voice.
Once I enter the green chambers as a member representing Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, you will not only see the difference, you and your relatives will feel the difference because your improved welfare and well-being will also affect them positively” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting welcomed the proposals, with several riders noting that years of paying daily tickets have not translated into tangible support from government. They said issues of harassment, lack of repair facilities, and medical bills after accidents remain major challenges.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Keke Riders Association, Mr. Benjamin Essien said they chose to gather themselves together to endorse the Labour Party candidate, Mr Ikakke, after a careful study of his antecedent regarding his concerns for the downtrodden.
According to him: “We have carefully followed all your activities even before declaring to contest for the Federal House of Representatives. Today, we the executives, on behalf of our members have come together to endorse you, believing that you have what it takes to intervene in our favour.
From today, all our members will be sticking your campaign stickers on our tricycles as a show of support for you. Other people we supported in the past, after winning, dumped us and joined hands to further torment us in this state. With our support, we believe that God will help you to win so that you will speak for our liberation”.
On his part, one of the mini-bus drivers, Mr Ndanti Akpan while speaking to our Correspondent on the sidelines of the meeting said: “Since the return of political campaigns in Akwa Ibom State in 1999, this is the first time we’ve heard any candidate who speak passionately about our predicaments as commercial transporters.
Nobody will help you until he understands your problems. Today, Ikakke Bassey has demonstrated that he fully understands our problems and his character has shown that he is ready to fight for our welfare and well-being. Therefore, we will do all within our powers to ensure he wins, come 2027”.
As campaigns for 2027 begin to take shape, Bassey’s focus on pushing for sustenable reforms aimed at formalizing welfare for transport operators may resonate with thousands of voters who depend on the sector for their livelihood and for daily commuting across Uyo and environs.
