The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has postponed the date for restricting tricycle riders from operating within the Kumasi Central Business District (CBD) from June 15, 2023, to a later date yet to be announced.

This is contrary to earlier media speculation that the ban will take effect on 15th June 2023.

The KMA served notice that it would restrict tricycle riders from operating within the CBD that’s Adum, Alabar, Dr. Mensah to help control congestion in the central business district as successfully implemented years ago in the Bono regions.

This decision also aims to check avoidable accidents associated with their operation within the congested Kumasi central Business district.

Henrietta Afia Konadu Aboagye, Public Relations Officer for the KMA explained the deferment was necessary due to the ongoing sensitization activities about the directive.

“The directive is not a ban, but a restriction on their movement in the CBD. So we met with their executives on May 9 to let them know that the move was to reduce congestion in the CBD. They asked for some time to speak with their members. We realized that the education took a bit longer, so the directive, which was scheduled to take effect on the 15th, cannot take effect. We are still in the process of sensitization,” she said.

Meanwhile, the KMA PRO said that the assembly’s transport department and the MTTD would enforce the directive by being present at various checkpoints.

“The recalcitrant ones who will force their way into the CBD will have their vehicles impounded and taken to the Central Police Station or the assembly’s towing site, where they will be fined,” she added.

Commercial and private transport operators who ply their trade with the CBD have commended KMA in advance for having the intention to ban what they described as “destructive tricycle riders’’.

Kwame Yeboah said ”We are ready to support KMA to enforce this directive by the Kumasi Mayor when they finish their stakeholders engagement. We traders in Adum will call out the NPP if they interfere in this decision because of the election. We voted for them to lead a change drive but not to come and disturb us’’.

Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Isaac Justice Bediako