Abolition of Commercial Motorbikes and Its Implication on Transportation and Criminality in Calabar Metropolis

Abstract

The study examined the abolition of commercial motorbikes and its implications on transportation and criminality in Calabar Metropolis. The main objective of the study was to assess the implications associated with the abolition of commercial motorbikes as a means of transport and its effect on criminality in Calabar Metropolis. To achieve this objective, the study elicited data through questionnaire from 984 randomly selected respondents. Simple percentages and chi-square were employed to analyze elicited data at 0.05 levels of significance. The findings revealed that factors such as upsurge in criminal activities, rise in traffic accidents, traffic congestion and recklessness on the part of the operators of commercial motorbikes among others account for the abolition of motorbikes as a means of transportation in Calabar Metropolis. The study findings also revealed that the abolition of commercial motorbikes resulted in the delay of workers getting vehicles to their workplaces, increased in transportation fare charges and quarrel amongst commuters as they struggle to access few available transport vehicles. Furthermore, the study findings revealed that the abolition has resulted to an increase in criminal activities such as armed robbery, pick-pocketing, theft and snatching of valuables. The study recommends among others: the provision of alternative jobs for the displaced youths who have been affected by the government action, government should partner with private sectors to establish avoidable transport system for the masses and government should ensure that urban taxi cabs maintained approved standard transport fares in all routes to avoid arbitrary and unavoidable charges.