By Ambrose Ologide
There have been reactions from some residents of Uvwie and Warri Local Government areas of Delta State, following the proposed ban of commercial motorcycles (Okada) in Nigeria by the Federal Government.
The President General (PG) of Uvwie General Improvement Union ( UGIU), Chief Abovi Hope Erute, noted that the ban was long over due, adding that commercial motorcyle operation was an embarassment to an oil rich country as Nigeria.
“Okada is a veritable means of committing crimes in the society.
“Why are we taking the decision now because of the Abuja jail break embarassment ?” he said.
Also speaking, the Secretary of Warri Central Motor Park, Comrade Adophus Adoghe, noted that okada operations had caused accidents that claimed lives and maimed many people.
He recalled that okada accidents had claimed the lives of a popular Udu born female musician and the wife of his friend in Warri.
Adoghe however added that the ban should be limited to the urban areas.
The Taskforce Chairman of Okada riders in Osubi Junction, by East West Road in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, Comrade Gabriel Simon, and some of his colleagues vehemently kicked against the proposed ban.
They opined that the ban would increase unemployment and consequently inflict more hardship on the masses.
Some other respondents ( Okadariders) stated that they would support the ban, if given sufficient money and job opportunities by the Federal Government.
Renowned man of God, Senior Prophet Augustine Akpata (JP), warned that the ban would be counter productive, adding that it would lead to increase in crime and insecurity which, according to him, the Federal Government was aiming to address with the ban.
A popular public analyst, Chief Akpojotor Adjarho, spoke in the same vein and opined that the ban would adversely affect the socio economic life of rural communities in the country.
Adjarho said that Okada was a major means of transportation of farmers in the rural areas.