FOR Edo State to move forward, government must review the activities of commercial bus driver otherwise known as tuke- tuke drivers in the services rendered to the public. This has become necessary owing to their ruthless behaviour towards commuters especially drivers plying New Benin, Ring Road, Third and the popular Ikpoba Hill . The unruly behaviour of these recalcitrant motorists have caused inexplicable havoc in the homes of most families while others have been confined to untimely death. For Edo State Government to achieve its desired objective of repositioning the transport industry in the state especially the activities of tuke- tuke drivers, there should be provisions made to assess the mental state of these miscreants such that the root cause of the evil acts that are inherent in their activities are tackled headlong.

Psychologically, to find lasting solutions to this problem, is to examine the drivers’ emotional disposition towards the use of intoxicated or alcoholic drinks such as the popular ogogoro (locally made). The malignancy of the drivers due to alcoholic influence is quite evident in the way and manner they ply through the high ways on top speed without giving credence to speed limits as a possible precaution against road mishap. The irreparable lives lost to the share negligence of these infamous motorists are quite disgusting. To the chagrin of the writer, most of these drivers hardly claim responsibility of some of the ill-fated trips except when legal actions are taken against them by the families of the victims, Records had shown that the hard-hearted ones might take to their heels in the event of any suspected casualty while they could also give up driving as a profession if that is the sure way their nefarious acts can be justified and safeguarded.

 

On the contrary, those who are found culpable are compelled to face legal battles or possibly incarceration before their cases are billed for hearing by the most appropriate courts of law. For instance, there was a case of murder of a driver in Benin that lingered on for two years precisely before it was finally decided on.
In another development, the high level of addiction in the intake of hard drugs such as marijuana and cocaine by some suspected tuke-tuke drivers is also posing a lot of worries in the minds of most concerned Nigerians. Commuters that are conversant with the attitudes of tuke-tuke buses would agree with the writer that the discomforts trailing most commercial vehicles have aggravated the state of health of the passengers.

 

Pathetically, most of these commuters who have ear defections are rendered perpetually deaf because of the high wave of sounds being emitted from the music gadgets attached to the vehicles. The dislocation caused to the eardrums of these victims has made them to spend wastefully on medical assistance.

Worse still, tuke-tuke drivers have become the accomplices to several atrocities being perpetrated in the state. The unbearable level of incessant kidnapping in the state is attributed to the activities of some of these motorists who are on the vanguard of making quick money. Moreover, in Edo State, series of reports were made on how some drivers had disguised their vehicles with the Edo State colour code so as to perpetrate criminal acts while the vehicles used were later uncovered as soon as the act was carried out by the hoodlums. Thank God for men of the security detectives who were able to unraveled the cause of the incident and the culprits were eventually arraigned to face prosecutions.

The fight to checkmate the excesses of tuke-tuke drivers is the overall responsibilities of all and sundry. The public could help to complement government’s efforts if suspected act of immorality is noticeable in the attitudes of tuke-tuke drivers while going about their daily business.

Government must also ensure that a central body is created for all commercial vehicles that will oversee the operation of the registered Edo State Road Transport Workers such that commuters will have the opportunity to lodge their complaints against motorists especially tuke-tuke drivers with questionable characters. Besides, government through relevant agencies like Edo State Traffic Management Agency and Federal Road Safety Commission to organize lectures and seminars for commercial motorists so as to sensitise them on the hazards involved and why necessary measures are needed to be taken to overcome unprecedented misfortunes while driving.

Lastly, the licence’s office in the state should subject motorists mostly tuke-tuke drivers to scrutiny with a view to issuing licence’s to only those that have undergone driving tests and other necessary examinations so as to equip them to have at least a first hand knowledge of the profession.

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