 |
| Vehicle Impoundment |
The Rivers State Ministry of Transport has issued a firm final reminder to all commercial transport operators, requiring taxis, buses and tricycles (commonly known as keke) to repaint their vehicles in the approved official state colours by 31 October 2026. The directive, signed by Permanent Secretary Dr (Mrs) Vera Sam-Dike, frames the measure as a critical public safety initiative designed to make legitimate commercial vehicles easily identifiable to commuters and thereby enhance overall security across the state.
According to the statement obtained by Punch, monitoring and strict enforcement will commence immediately after the deadline, on 1 November 2026. Any commercial vehicle found operating without the approved colour scheme after that date will be impounded. Operators of non-compliant vehicles will be barred from service until full compliance is achieved and applicable fines are paid. The ministry emphasised that this is not a new policy but a final push to complete the transition that has been ongoing.
The government directed operators seeking more information, particularly about painting workshops offering subsidised rates, to contact the Head of the Land Transportation Department, Engr. Andrew Alapuberesisika, through dedicated lines. Officials expressed appreciation to transport union leaders and vehicle owners whose fleets are already aligned with the directive, signalling that partial compliance has already been achieved in some quarters.
This latest ultimatum builds on earlier efforts dating back to 2024, when similar deadlines were set and later adjusted amid economic pressures, the high cost of painting, and seasonal challenges such as the rainy season that limited workshop capacity. Past announcements had highlighted the need for uniformity to help distinguish genuine operators from criminal elements who sometimes pose as commercial drivers, a concern linked to security risks including one-chance robberies. The current statement reiterates the dual goals of public security and easier identification for passengers.
For many operators, the policy carries real economic weight. Painting a vehicle can represent a significant outlay at a time when fuel costs, multiple levies and daily operating expenses already strain livelihoods. Subsidised workshops are intended to ease that burden, yet the short remaining window means drivers who have delayed compliance must now act quickly. Enforcement from November risks disrupting services if large numbers of vehicles are taken off the road, potentially affecting commuters who rely on these modes of transport for daily mobility in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State.
The ministry’s approach combines a clear deadline with an offer of practical support through designated painters and contact points. By publicly thanking those already compliant, authorities appear to be encouraging voluntary adherence while reserving punitive measures for those who ignore the final notice. Transport unions, which previously sought extensions citing hardship, are now expected to facilitate the remaining transition among their members.
In the broader context of urban transport regulation in Nigeria, colour-coding commercial vehicles is a common tool used by state governments to improve order, accountability and passenger confidence. When successfully implemented, it can reduce the incidence of unlicensed or criminal operations and help law-enforcement agencies identify legitimate operators more readily. Success in Rivers will depend on consistent enforcement, the actual availability of affordable painting services, and continued dialogue with unions to minimise disruption.
As the 31 October deadline approaches, commercial drivers face a straightforward choice: complete the mandated colour change or risk losing the right to operate. The state’s position is unambiguous—public safety and vehicle identification take priority, and non-compliance will no longer be tolerated after the final cut-off.