By Richard Benjamin
Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in Kaduna have continued to brave heavy rainfall, flooded roads and deteriorating infrastructure to earn a living and provide essential transportation services to residents during the rainy season.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey conducted on Monday, July 27, 2026, across Kawo, Sabon Tasha, Kakuri, Barnawa and the Central Market areas of Kaduna metropolis, showed that while rainfall often increases demand for commercial transport, operators also face slippery roads, hidden potholes, frequent breakdowns and a heightened risk of accidents.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, a motorcycle operator in Kawo, said every rainy day brought uncertainty as the weather often determined whether he would earn enough to support his family.
“When it rains heavily, many people do not want to walk, so more passengers look for motorcycles. Sometimes we make more money than on dry days because demand increases.
“But the danger is always there. Potholes covered by water can throw you off your motorcycle before you even realise it. Once you fall, the money you made can end up being spent on treatment and repairs,” he said.
Mr Peter John, a tricycle operator in Barnawa, described the rainy season as a period of mixed fortunes.
He said although passenger traffic increased during rainfall, frequent repairs caused by waterlogged roads consumed a significant portion of his income.
“Every week, mechanics replace brake pads, wheel bearings or other parts damaged by bad roads, so what we gain from increased patronage is often spent on maintenance.
“Sometimes we stay off the road for hours waiting for the rain to stop, which also affects our income,” he said.
At Sabon Tasha, a trader, Mrs Grace Yakubu, said commercial riders remained one of the most dependable means of transportation whenever rainfall made movement difficult.
“When taxis refuse to enter flooded streets or charge very high fares, motorcycles and tricycles are usually the only option. They help many of us reach our businesses and return home,” she said.
Some passengers, however, expressed concern over reckless riding during rainy weather, urging operators to prioritise safety over the rush to maximise earnings.
Mr Emmanuel Joseph, a civil servant, said some riders sped through flooded roads despite poor visibility, exposing themselves and passengers to avoidable danger.
“Most riders are responsible, but a few become careless because they want to carry more passengers before another rainfall begins, and that is dangerous for everyone,” he said.
A motorcycle mechanic in Kakuri, Malam Sani Abdullahi, said the rainy season usually brought an increase in the number of motorcycles and tricycles taken to his workshop for repairs.
“Water affects brakes, chains, wheel bearings and electrical components. As a result, many operators delay maintenance until small faults become major problems that cost more money to fix,” he said.
Officials of transport unions urged operators to reduce their speed during rainfall, avoid flooded roads where possible and ensure that their motorcycles and tricycles remained roadworthy throughout the season.
They also appealed to the Kaduna State Government to rehabilitate damaged roads and improve drainage infrastructure to reduce accidents and protect the livelihoods of thousands of commercial transport operators.
For many riders, however, staying away from work is not an option. Whether under scorching sunshine or heavy rain, they continue to navigate Kaduna’s roads daily, driven by the need to feed their families while providing an essential transport service to residents.
As the rainy season continues, operators and commuters hope that improved road infrastructure, better drainage systems and greater adherence to traffic regulations will make travelling safer while protecting the livelihoods of those who depend on commercial transportation.
