The Ekiti State Government has directed all commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators across the state to register and undergo biometric data capture on or before July 18 as part of efforts to strengthen security, improve public safety and enhance regulation of the transportation sector.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kehinde Ajobiewe, gave the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, warning that operators who fail to comply with the registration exercise would face sanctions in accordance with the state’s transportation regulations.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation on Friday.
According to Ajobiewe, the biometric registration exercise will commence on July 6 and is aimed at creating a comprehensive database of commercial transport operators across the state.
“The biometric registration of all commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators will begin on July 6. Operators who fail to register and obtain the required permits by July 18 will face sanctions in line with the state’s transportation regulations,” he said.
He urged leaders of commercial motorcycle and tricycle unions to mobilise their members to participate fully in the exercise before the deadline.
The commissioner explained that every operator would undergo proper screening before being issued a valid riding permit upon successful completion of the registration process.
“The Ministry of Transportation will ensure that every operator is properly screened and issued a valid riding permit upon completion of the registration process.
“The exercise is aimed at creating a comprehensive database of operators, facilitating proper identification and curbing criminal activities associated with unregistered transport operators,” he stated.
Ajobiewe disclosed that the registration would be conducted at all offices of the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue across the state’s 16 local government areas.
He added that the initiative would also provide the government with reliable data for transportation planning, improve service delivery and help address operational challenges within the commercial transport sector.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to strengthening security, promoting an orderly transportation system and improving the welfare of transport operators in the state.
He noted that the exercise forms part of broader efforts by the government to eliminate anonymity among commercial transport operators and prevent criminal elements from exploiting the sector.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Bayo Abulola; representatives of the Commissioner of Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander; Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, Mr. Kunle Asaolu; Chairman of the Tricycle Operators Association, Mr. Akinola Talabi, and other stakeholders in the transport sector.
Commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators remain a major component of public transportation in Ekiti State, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities.
However, growing concerns over the use of unregistered operators by criminal elements have prompted the state government to introduce biometric registration as part of wider security measures aimed at improving public safety, ensuring accountability and strengthening regulation of the transport sector.