The Kano State government says it is set to unveil a new transport system within the metropolis to provide residents with a means of transportation.

“Government will unveil the new transport system because we want to check the monopoly in the transportation system, as is the case now,” the managing director of the Kano State Traffic Agency, Baffa Babba-Dan’agundi, said.

He disclosed this while briefing journalists on the prolonged strike Keke riders.

Mr Babba-Dan’agundi stated that arrangements were in place already, noting that it had reached the advanced stage.

According to him, the riders went on strike following the introduction of an operational permit.

“The state government has reduced the cost from N100,000 to N8,000 to enable them to pay,” he added.

Mr Babba-Dan’agundi, however, explained that while some Keke riders paid the fee, others refused to pay, thereby disregarding the law.

“I don’t have any authority to say they must resume work,” he stressed. “However, they do not have any authority to tell me not to ask for their particulars and not to arrest them and take appropriate action against them.”

Mr Babba-Dan’agundi maintained that the government was concerned about security and not just the revenue aspect, noting that “some of them perpetuate criminal acts with the tricycles, they don’t want to register.”

He also mentioned that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had directed the agency to assist those whose tricycles were damaged by thugs when they decided not to join the strike.

Passengers were stranded in Kano on Monday following a one-week strike by tricycle riders.

Most of the passengers were left with no option other than to either suspend their local travels within the metropolis or trek to their destinations.

(NAN)