A Senior Pastor with the Temple of God Intercessory Prayer Network, Prophetess Esther Diamond, has advised the Rivers State Government against banning the operation of commercial tricycles, otherwise known as keke, as it would cause untold hardship to the operators, their families and commuters.
Prophetess Diamond gave the advice while speaking at the three day fasting and prayer session organized by keke owners and riders (Koran) Rivers State branch in Port Harcourt, recently.
She described the bicycle business as a scheme that has engaged unemployed youth in meaningful venture so as to reduce crime in the society.
The Prophetess, who is also in charge of the Transformation Ministry, stated that keke owners and riders in the state are responsible people, who have families and children whom they cater for, and had engaged in transport business as to help commuters in Port Harcourt city, Obio/Akpo, Eleme and Oyigbo Local government areas.
According to her, “God spoke to me about the sufferings and cries of keke owners and riders. God is a God of hope and for the poor. Their cries have reached heaven”.
She also admonished the Rivers State government to allow tricycle owners and riders to operate and exercise their rights to earn a living, stressing that government alone could not employ everybody.
The servant of God further reminded Governor Chibuike Amaechi that tricycle operators also voted for him during the April 2011 guber election in the state and that God would not be happy if he choose to ban the tricycle owners and riders because his position is not only for the rich but also for the poor.
She observed that the tricycle transport scheme also eased the transport difficulties in the state and reduced trekking and sufferings as well as poverty, and appealed to Amaechi, who is chairman of the Governors forum to streamline modalities to reduce poverty in the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria at large. ###
