Okene to Lokoja township on a Tricycle, an exciting adventure

By Ismail M. Kabir

The day was bright; a heavy downpour was imminent as the cloudy weather shifted northward. It was few minutes past eight this morning, Tuesday June 17th 2014. To me and my team, the time was right for another exploration but this time we choose the wrong transport, a tricycle popularly called Keke Napep.

Me (left) and the pilot, Abdulsalam

The day was bright; a heavy downpour was imminent as the cloudy weather shifted northward. It was few minutes past eight this morning, Tu

Ignoring the disappointment that may arise from other members of Ebira Youth Explorers, a group that explores Ebira tourism potentials, upon their discovery of my selfish exploration, we left Okene town for the long and risky journey.

Riding at a maximum speed of 60km per hour, Abdulsalam, our Lagos based pilot who arrived home the previous night pumped the throttle to declare the journey started. Ahead of us laid a dual carriage highway notorious for its daily armed robbery operations. On this road, we would travel for over 150km.

Speeding ahead..

At about 8.45am, we made the first stop along the old toll gate on Okene-Ajaokuta road.
Cab drivers have parked along the lane where steaming boiled corn was just getting ready for highway travelers. The price was next to giveaway so we bought enough corn to last the journey.

The highway was mostly deserted except for few shuttle buses that occasionally sped past our rickety transport. Breathing in the cool breeze from the roadside bushes excited AbdulSalam, our pilot, whose endless jokes cracked our ribs.

"This is my first journey along this route, I wish it never ends" he remarked as we enjoyed the scornful gaze from farmers heading for the morning clearing.

Buying corn at the old toll-gate

Within an hour, we approached Eganyi community. It was obvious that the villagers were sighting a Tricycle for the first time as they gaze in disbelief at the little vehicle speeding past their community. We noticed some youth making mockery of our rare transport, this heightened our excitement as we munched our corn along.

In Adogo, the headquarter of Ajaokuta Local council, just about 50 meters ahead of us was a fallen truck which has thrown its goods on the road. As we got closer, the picture became clear.

The Lagos bound truck fully loaded with tubers of yam oblivious of the potholes around the spot had sped right into a ditch. Youths in the area offered help as we met them rearranging the yam tubers in heaps. They were fascinated by the unique appearance of our tricycle which they acknowledged as an uncommon vehicle along that route.

The fallen truck

As I took pictures of the potholes, one of them hissed at my action.
"Different people have been here with cameras, we are yet to see a difference", he retorted. I simply reminded him that we were not the government.

The damage on the road particularly around the Adogo axis is enormous. Vehicles diverted to the next lane every now and then to avoid potholes. The trip only got smoother after about 1km drive from Adogo junction.

Most regrettably, the damaged parts of the road extended to the frontage of the residence of their federal representative who the youths said has failed to use his influence as a lawmaker to get the road repaired after many years of its dilapidation. They said that they are more disappointed after voting the so called lawmaker into office for the third term.

Bad section of the road

Bad section of the road

We departed Adogo for Ajaokuta Township almost immediately. The Geregu Power Station could be viewed from a distance but we changed course and turned towards the township by-pass enroute Lokoja as our phones ran out of battery.

Children staring at our 'rickety' vehicle

The trip to Lokoja wasn't as interesting as we could no longer take pictures. The lane was a single one; we had to jump off the road often to escape collision from speeding trucks.

It was a great adventure.... And we arrived Lokoja at exactly 18 minutes past 1:00pm.

See you next time!