Transportation in Lagos is still inadequate despite the commendable efforts of the government in this regard. This is in spite of an estimated 1.3 million vehicles registered in the state between 2007 and April 2009. Though not a particularly new entrant into the commercial transportation circle, tricycles, otherwise called Keke Marwa, are now on the increase.

Keke Marwa entered the scene in the era of Buba Marwa, former military administrator of Lagos State. Subsequently, at the enthronement of democracy in 1999, the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, introduced a bigger model of the tricycle under the aegis of national poverty eradication programme, NAPEP, hence the sobriquet ‘Keke NAPEP’. It was aimed at empowering the unemployed in the country to earn a living and contribute to national development.

Now, more than a decade after, Lagosians have to embrace Keke Marwa as first choice of commuting, as well as a veritable source of livelihood. For instance, a man simply identified as Kolade, in the Ojodu area of Lagos State, celebrated with much funfair after buying 10 units of the tricycle. The import of this is that he has hit a goldmine. A unit of this three-wheeler sells for about N350,000.  Kolade explained that on weekly basis, a three-wheeler operator could rake in about N17,000.

The modus operandi is simple. An owner could lease the tricycle and pay returns on daily or weekly basis. However, given the reckless nature of Lagos drivers and poor maintenance culture, owners of tricycles have devised another business strategy by agreeing with intending riders to pay back double

the cost of the tricycle within a year, and on completion of the payment, the rider becomes the owner. So for Kolade who invested N3.5 million in the business, he calculates that N7 million would accrue to him a year after. That was the calculation.

Keke Marwa has become the attraction of commuters for several reasons. Uche Eze, a trader, explained that after he had an accident while on the regular commercial motorcycle, called okada, he switched to commuting by tricycle, which he believes is safer. “You know it has a covering, and body panel unlike the okada, so for safety reasons, it is better to commute by Keke Marwa”, Eze said.

But, some smart businessmen have thought it wise to improve on that means of transportation. For instance, Importex Investment Limited has introduced Trident Tricars, a four-door three-wheel vehicle fitted with four-stroke engine. Daisi Omidiji, managing director of the company, explained that the Trident Tricars were designed differently to offer social, ecological and economical advantages such as better safety, higher performance, comfort and low-zero emissions. With this in place, he is confident that residents in the country’s central business districts, like Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, lkeja, will be given the opportunity to ride in modern tricars, as opposed to where Keke Marwa currently operates.

The Trident tricar models are equipped with CD/AM/FM/MP3 player, good interior fittings, spare tyre and tool box, and air condition as standard in the Nifty and optional in the Vannete models. All, but the truck version, come in four-doors. The Vanne

Vannete has sliding doors.

Ojo Bamidele, chairman, Community Support Trans Shuttle Services, Puposola Unit, Abule Egba, commended the model, noting that it will turn out to be the safest motorbike on the road.

Indeed, with the reign of the Keke, provides a double delight-safer commuting and economic empowerment.  Welcome to the world of Lagos tricycles.

 

Eze: Believes tricycles are safer

Keke Marwa: Empowering the unemployed

Omidiji: Confident of the prospects of tricars

Trident tricar model: Designed to offer economic advantages

Bamidele: Commends Trident Tricars