Delta State Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza has said that ban on Okada as means of commercial transportation was in the best interest of the greater number of citizens in the state.
The Commissioner clarified while speaking as a guest of Sleek FM Radio Agbor on Saturday, saying that security reports indicated that eight local government areas, comprising Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Ika North East, Ika South, Ethiope East, Sapele, Uvwie and Warri South, are worst hit by criminal activities traced to Okada riders.
Osuoza also disclosed that government officials held several meetings with leaders of Okada Riders Association with the view to tackling the menace of criminal activities of some of their members, but that all efforts failed woefully, hence the outright ban of Okada for commercial transportation in the affected eight local government areas in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information however pointed out that the ban does not affect use of motorbikes for corporate services; such as courier services and delivery of products ordered online, as well as security personnel on duty who sometimes use their personal motorbikes to get to their places of primary assignments, or for surveillance without using same for commercial activities while on mufti.
He assured that the State Orientation Bureau will do the needful by sensitizing the people, widely publicising the local government areas affected and the routes, as well as the exceptions for the use of motorbikes in the affected areas while stating that Iron Condemn business is banned throughout the 25 local government areas of the state.
In the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation Bureau, Olorogun Latimore Oghenesivbe, said the Ban on Okada commercial transportation in the state, is in tandem with constitutional provisions mandating governments at state and federal levels to protect life and property.
Oghenesivbe who spoke on Sunday as Guest of Crown FM in Asaba, said the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, is fully committed to the enhancement of peace and security in the state, as encapsulated in his MORE agenda.
He disclosed that Governor Oborevwori was reluctant to support the ban on commercial motorcycles, but that the rising wave of criminal activities linked to majority of Okada riders in the state encouraged him to take the Bull by the horns via the instrumentality of the State Regulation on Okada as means of commercial transportation.
Oghenesivbe who is also the Executive Assistant on Communications to Delta State Governor, assured that Governor Oborevwori will continue to invest heavily in road infrastructure to connect various towns, cities and communities, to enable vehicles, Keke and other means of transportation to convey passengers, goods and services without difficulties.
“The ban on Okada as a means of commercial transportation in Delta State is real and has come to stay. And it is not directed at any tribe or ethnic nationality. The governor is detribalised.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori promised enhanced peace and security in his MORE Agenda, and he’s committed to protecting life and property in compliance with constitutional provisions. The ban is essential to upscale security measures in the state.
“The decision to ban Okada as a means of commercial transportation is in the best interest of the greater number of Deltans, and within a reasonable time, government will provide alternative means of transportation, to ease stress currently experienced by commuters in the affected eight local government areas in the state,” Oghenesivbe assured.
