By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State government has extended motorcycle ban in urban cities of Ekwulobia and Nnewi with immediate effect.
Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, who disclosed this after State Executive Council meeting said the decision followed rising insecurity in the areas.
Former governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had banned motorcycle operations, otherwise, known as okada in Awka and Onitsha.
Nwosu said, “It has come to the notice of government that commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as “Okada” have gradually found their ways back on our roads in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia.
“Their recklessness owing to lack of riding training and ignorance of traffic signs are beginning to produce high rate of avoidable accidents on our roads.
“Added to this is the fact that “Okada” has been fingered severally by law enforcement agents as being the major conveyor belt through which criminals ply their nefarious businesses.
” In the light of these ugly trends, government hereby restates and reiterates that the ban on commercial motorcycles in our major cities such as Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia is still in force.
“Anyone caught violating them will be made to face the full wrath of the law. For an area like Nnewi where private motorcycles are means of commuting to places of work and business, the rider must wear a crash helmet to protect the head in case of accident.
“Companies involved in courier services, dispatch services and home deliveries must register with the Ministry of Transport and have their riders properly kitted up.
“Okada” may ply the sub urban and rural areas where motor transport is scarce, but plan is underway to have them enumerated and branded in order to determine the genuine commercial motorcyclists and be able to track any operator who is involved in breaching the law.”
