“What is going on in this place”? Johnson queried himself trying to stop the approaching keke. The keke rider stopped at a distance but reversed to meet Johnson who was also rushing down to meet with the keke. “Oga where?” the rider asked. “Sorry, I am looking for an empty vehicle to take me to the airport,” Johnson said. “Oga, I no dey go that side, sorry,” the keke man said as he zoomed off.
Johnson has stood on the road for over 40 minutes trying to figure out what to do next. After about ten keke he stopped has refused to pick him up. Many thoughts went through his heart. This was not the first time he came to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, although the last time he came, he never used the airport. However, the direction someone gave to him was for him to stand by the road and get a vehicle to the airport. His flight schedule was fixed at 8.00 am. Johnson knew that to catch up with his flight schedule, he ought to be at the airport on or before 7:45 am.
Still figuring out what to do, he took out his phone, placed a call and spoke with someone who probably told him what to do. A young lady walked down the busy road, he called her to ask if he could probably get a vehicle from there to the airport. He was disappointed when the girl told him that she was new to the area. Mr. Johnson had to try his luck for the last time, he stopped the approaching and fortune for him, the keke man stopped. The rider was a young man in his early twenties, well dressed, his keke was quite new and clean. He spoke well as someone who has been through the four walls of the university. The keke was empty and no passenger was in it.
“Good morning sir,” the rider said
“Morning” Johnson jumped into the keke without telling the guy where he was going
“Please, I am going to the airport, I need to catch my flight in an hour” he said as he placed his bag on the seat of the keke.
“Sir, to be honest with you, the distance to the airport is very far,” the keke rider said. Turning off the engine of his vehicle.
“Time is of the essence to me, I have an important meeting to attend in Lagos” he said feeling disappointed. “Please let's go, I will pay you any amount you want”
“It's not about the money sir” the rider queried
“It's about what”? Johnson asked, looking at his wristwatch.
“It's the distance”
“What's wrong with the distance”?
“We might not meet up with the flight”
“We will”, he assured.
“Okay, how much will you pay”?
“But I just said that I will pay you whatever amount you wish to collect, just start your vehicle let's be going, while you talk your price”
“Sir, you should get a taxi” the rider insisted
“I have stood here for almost an hour, no taxi has passed”
“Taxis are only allowed to drive on some routes in Uyo”
“Please turn on your engine,” Johnson reminded.
Without wasting time, the keke rider put on his engine and the vehicle began to accelerate.
“You've not told me your charge” Johnson reminded him
“Four thousand naira” he responded.
“That's too much na”
“No sir” he said “consider the price of fuel and spare parts in the country” he added.
“Please reduce the price for me thank you”
“No way”
“No problem,” Johnson agreed. “Please increase your speed.
“This keke cannot go faster than this o,” the rider said, sounding funny.
Not long after, they approached a major road that linked to the airport although the distance to the airport was still demanding, and Johnson was contemplating getting to the airport on time. The Keke rider, on the other hand, couldn't decipher how long the journey would take, when asked, he said he did not know.
The highway that led to the airport was well constructed with beautiful road signs and trees planted on both sides of the road, giving it the most attractive and environmentally friendly edifice.
As they approached the new road lay out. A well constructed four lane appeared and Johnson was wowed with the sight of the road. He busted
“Uyo is beautiful!”
“Yes it is,” the rider responded in excitement. “The Uyo capital city happens to be one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria, the government is intentional in making the state a tourist attraction centre” he added, sounding enlightened and up to speed with what the government is doing in the state.
“It is obvious because the last time I came to this state, it wasn't as beautiful as it is”. Johnson said as they approached a roundabout with an insignia “Airport road”. The Keke rider turned towards the left and headed to the airport road.
Johnson checked his time again, it was half past 7.00 am, praying that in less than 20 minutes they should be at the airport. As they rode near, he saw, “Welcome to Victor Attah International Airport” boldly written on the entrance. A long iron was stationed at the entrance which happened to be the first checked point. The long rod was only lifted after security checks. An army officer came out and commanded the keke to park aside since it was prohibited to enter the airport environment. Johnson had to step down and begged the army officer, explaining to him why he should let him in. At last, he was allowed, but unfortunately, as they rode toward the car park area, he saw the flight taking off. He checked his time, it was exactly 8:00 am He stood there speechless. “So I have missed my flight finally,” he said feeling disappointed. “My wife must be happy now”, he added.
He alighted from the keke and said to the rider
“It seems you're a graduate”
“I am a master's degree holder sir” he responded.
“Nawa o, this country,” he said as he paid him, took out his bag and left.
