The Ondo State Government
has outlawed the operation of commercial motorcycles, better known as “okada”,
in Akure metropolis according to new reports by Premium Times.
The ban
comes in response to protests by the riders against what they termed the
government’s exploitation through plate numbers and residency card.
According
to the announcement made by the State Government, the ban takes effect from 12
midnight on Friday July 24.
The order, which is contained in a statement by the
Secretary to the State Government, Rotimi Adelola, reads: “By the suspension,
no commercial motorcycle (Okada) operation will be allowed on the following
roads and connecting locations: Adesida Road to Oyemekun to FUTA South Gate and
all adjoining routes Federal Secretariat to State Secretariat to NEPA Junction
Arakale Road to Army Barracks and all adjoining routes. Oda Town to State
Secretariat and all adjoining roads; Futa North Gate to Shasha and all
adjoining Roads; Fiwasaye Road to Agbogbo; Oba Ile to Mobil- Fiwasaye
Roundabout and all adjoining roads; Fiwasaye to A Division and all adjoining
roads; Cash Hold to Adofure and all adjoining routes; State High Court to
Hospital Round about to Oshinle and all adjoining routes; Ijomu-Oke Ijebu to
Agbogbo and all adjoining roads. Araromi to Akure High School and all adjoining
routes; All Housing Estates Roads including Alagbaka, Oba Ile, Ijapo,
Afunbiowo, Shagari and others; Oluwatuyi to Ijoka and all adjoining roads and
Fiwasaye to Ado Junction.”
Mr.
Adelola also noted that the Ondo State Government also suspended ticketing
activities of okada operators across the state.
Speaking on the protests by the Okada riders on Thursday,
he said, “Government has set up an Investigative Panel. Effective from 12
midnight today, any unregistered commercial motorcycle (Okada) will be
impounded. Government in making these decisions notes that the brigandage and
destruction by commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) was against registration
and identification, which is a must for monitoring, management and security
purposes. Government notes that in the last six years, several marches,
protests and rallies have been held, all of which never led to the destruction
of property as witnessed on Thursday.”
Mr. Adelola further stated that the government was
shocked by the recklessness of the protesters, saying that it found no
connection between the protest and uprooting of groomed ornamental trees and
plants meant to make the city cleaner. He alleged that several categories of
civil servants who were going about their lawful and daily businesses, were
either physically assaulted or locked in or out of their places of work. While
admitting the protest was a legitimate means of expressing grievances, he said
the destructive protest was way beyond what was permissible in any civilised
society.
He said: “Ours is a civilised society on an irreversible
march to further growth and inclusive development. Government can therefore not
afford to allow a recourse to vandalism as witnessed in the last protest.
Government enjoins that as a people we must guard jealously the peace we have
thus far enjoyed in our state.”
He
also said security operatives were prepared to ensure the safety of lives and
property, and warned that those attempting to vandalise and destroy its
property should be ready to face the full weight of the law.
In his words: “Government enjoins residents to go about
their lawful activities and bear the obvious inconveniences that may arrive as
a result of these necessary actions. Our state is a state of law, of order and
of peace. Government cannot look on and watch the ill advised efforts of a few
to turn it otherwise. Hence this preliminary action. Government expects full compliance
and will not accommodate any further lawlessness.”
