Niger State Government has reiterated its commitment to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as okada in Minna metropolis.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane disclosed this at a Prestige FM radio phone-in programme tagged “Nigeria Today”.
Ahmed Matane further revealed Government was unyielding on the ban on use of commercial motorcycles in Minna in order to improve the security situation in State and to curtail criminal activities often perpetrated using motorcycles.
The SSG lamented that many okada operators have continued to flagrantly disobey the traffic law and, in some cases, resist enforcement by engaging in organized attacks on law enforcement agencies, adding that “we cannot continue to live with the menace constituted by many Okada riders to the peace, orderliness and safety of the populace”.
According to the SSG, Government has observed a worrying trend in which criminals have found okada a useful and enabling tool with which to perpetrate heinous crimes, with the motorcycles acting as quick-getaway vehicles, therefore Government will do everything humanly possible to rid the State of any criminal element.
He said Government was aware of the inconveniences the ban on commercial motorcycles is inflicting on the residents but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State that was why palliative measures have been put in place through the procurement and distribution of buses, tricycles and host of others with a view to cushion the effect of the hardship.
Ahmed Matane said that the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in Minna metropolis has also drastically reduced road accidents caused by the motorcyclists.
Most of the contributors to the programme testified that the ban on commercial motorcycles has significantly reduced the number of road accidents and crime rate in Minna and environs but appealed to the State Government to hasten the procurement of tricycles and buses with a view to cushion the effect of hardship being encountered by the people as a result of the ban.
