Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has banned the operations of all motorised tricycles also known as ‘Mahama Camboo’ in the Bolgatanga municipality after 7:00 p.m., with effect from Friday, May 26, 2017.
According to the REGSEC, the motorised tricycles usually registered for private use were being largely operated on commercial basis by under-aged people without license.
The REGSEC also noted that most operators of the tricycles drive with impunity without recourse to traffic regulations.
The council also uncovered reported cases of duplication of motor-cycle registration numbers under investigations by the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA).
A statement issued by Secretary to the REGSEC, Alhaji Abdulai Abubakar, stated that the ban was necessary to secure the safety of lives and property in the municipality.
“The council has weighed the possibility of banning the use of tricycles in the Bolgatanga Municipality from 7:00 p.m., and 6:00 a.m., each day for a month effective Friday, May 26, 2017.
The assembly will also apply sanctions on drivers and vehicle owners who park wrongly, particularly major trunk roads and artillery roads,” the statement warned.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commander of Police (DCOP) Redeemer Vincent Dadjoe, assured the public that the directive will be fully implemented to the letter, but should not be seen as witch-hunting.
“We have the men to fully implement the ban effective, 26th May, 2017 and any offender will be arrested and prosecuted,” he further cautioned.
But the Secretary of Tricycle Riders’ Association, Mr. Salifu Baba Yahaya, appealed to REGSEC to extend the ban from 9:00 p.m., to 6:00 a.m., adding that the current ban will have dire implications on commuters, especially traders in the night.