THE BEDBUGS CALLED KEKE NAPEP: UNRAVELING THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF TRICYCLE RIDERS ON NIGERIA'S URBAN LANDSCAPE

THE BEDBUGS CALLED KEKE NAPEP: UNRAVELING THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF TRICYCLE RIDERS ON NIGERIA'S URBAN LANDSCAPE

In the bustling metropolises of Nigeria, a seemingly innocuous mode of transportation has grown into a pervasive menace on the roads – the notorious Keke Napep. While these three-wheeled contraptions are commonly associated with convenience, their presence on major highways has escalated into a hazardous competition with cars and lorries, leaving a trail of chaos and danger in their wake.

The rise of Keke Napep, officially known as tricycles or auto rickshaws, has been both a boon and a bane. On one hand, they offer affordable and accessible transportation, particularly in densely populated urban areas where maneuvering larger vehicles can be challenging. However, the lack of adequate regulation and oversight has allowed these tricycles to transform into bedbugs, infesting the roadways and endangering both commuters and other road users.

One of the most glaring issues is the audacious competition for space on major highways. Keke Napep drivers, often desperate to maximize their fares, engage in reckless maneuvers, weaving through traffic with little regard for traffic rules or the safety of their passengers. The consequences are dire, as collisions with cars and lorries have become alarmingly frequent, resulting in injuries and fatalities that could have been easily avoided.

Moreover, the economic impact of these clashes extends beyond human lives. Businesses along major roadways suffer disruptions due to the constant gridlock caused by these tricycles jostling for position. The once smooth flow of traffic has been replaced by a chaotic dance of competing vehicles, exacerbating the already challenging conditions for commerce in these areas.

The clamour for regulatory intervention has been met with inertia, as the sheer number of Keke Napeps on the roads has overwhelmed law enforcement agencies. Calls for stricter licensing requirements, training programs for drivers, and designated routes have fallen on deaf ears, allowing the bedbugs to multiply and spread further.

As Nigeria grapples with the multifaceted challenges of urbanization, addressing the Keke Napep problem becomes imperative. A comprehensive approach involving government agencies, law enforcement, and transportation authorities is needed to curb the reckless competition on major highways. Only through coordinated efforts can the bedbugs be exterminated, restoring order and safety to the once congested roadways of our major metropolises.

© Emmanuel Obu

January 23, 2024 

Emmanuel Obu is a clergy and a brands and communications strategist based in Lagos. He is the Chief Design Officer at Design Turf Limited - an innovative and ideas agency with a design thinking outlook.