Motorcycles have become a dominant feature of transportation in Katsina State, with residents increasingly relying on them for both commercial and private mobility amid rising transport costs.

A journey from Abuja to Katsina offers an early indication of the motorcycle trade between the two cities, as many commercial vehicles heading north carry motorcycles strapped to their boots or secured to their roofs.

Upon arrival in Katsina, motorcycles are particularly prominent on the streets of the state capital, where residents use them for commuting, business activities and transportation to areas where other forms of public transport are less accessible.

The growing reliance on motorcycles has been linked partly to the rising cost of transportation following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Farouk Bala, a motorcycle owner in Katsina, said he acquired his Keeway motorcycle because of its fuel efficiency and convenience.

“We have seen an increase in the use of motorcycles by individuals because the cost of transportation has gone up,” he said.

Bala said the absence of an organised intra-city transport system has also increased residents’ dependence on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, popularly known as Keke.

According to him, commercial motorcycles have become more expensive because of higher petrol prices, while tricycles often operate along fixed routes and may not take passengers directly to their destinations.

Another motorcycle owner, Chika Alagbaoso, said the low cost of fuel and maintenance made motorcycles more practical for his work, particularly when travelling through difficult terrain.

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He said spending about N10,000 on fuel could keep his motorcycle running for several days, depending on usage.

Popular motorcycle brands and models in Katsina include Keeway and several Jincheng models, with prices varying considerably depending on their condition.

The increased use of motorcycles extends beyond personal transportation. In rural communities, motorcycles are also used to move farm inputs and agricultural produce.

The state government has equally supplied motorcycles to security agencies and community-based security groups to support operations, according to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Danmusa.

However, the government has imposed restrictions on motorcycle operations in some parts of the state as part of efforts to tackle insecurity.

The restrictions include a ban on the use of motorcycles throughout Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas, where authorities say bandits and kidnappers often rely on motorcycles for mobility.

Despite the restrictions, motorcycles remain a major component of Katsina’s transport system, particularly in communities where conventional public transportation is limited.

From Charanchi to Batsari, Rimi to Kafur and other parts of the state, their widespread use reflects the changing transportation and economic realities facing residents.

Katsina Times