By Abdul Lawal, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration has extended its policy banning the use of motorcycles popularly called Okada and tricycles on the roads
The development was in response to the worsening security situation in the city as well as what the administration termed ” the llawlessness and heightened insecurity around the Federal Capital Territory,” necessitating the inclusion of more districts and zonas where these two type of commercial transportation systems can no longer operate.
FCT’s Deputy Director, Information, Ughamadu Ifeanyi, in a statement said operations of okadas and tricycles have metamorphosed from constituting traffic nuisance to becoming security threat to inhabitants of the Territory.
Ifeanyi added,” In other to carry all stakeholders along, the transportation secretariat convened a meeting with all unions coordinating tricycle and commercial motorcycle operators in the territory and presented to them the new areas to be added to the enforcement list of okada ban in the Federal Capital City.
The Deputy Director Information listed the new areas where ban will be extended as, “The new areas recommended for total ban include Guzape District comprising AYA, Asokoro, Apo Roundabout and Area One; Jahi District comprising Next Cash and Carry area to Kubwa Express Way and Life Camp Express Way; Gudu District comprising Garki 2, Apo Legislative Quarters, Area 10, Police Command; Gishiri comprising opposite Nicon Junction, Mabushi and Next Cash and Carry area.
“Other areas are: Dakibiyu comprising Jabi motor Park and surrounding areas; Galadimawa District comprising from Galadimawa Roundabout through Games Village to Area One, Jabi by Judicial Institute, Federal Medical Centre, Dantata Bridge; Apo NEPA comprising NEPA to Cemetery Roundabout, to Gudu Cemetery and to Apo Resettlement; Maitama Extension Comprising Towards Mpape and Katampe Extension; and Kugbo/Karu Junctions comprising Asokoro, Asokoro Police Command and AYA.
“Kafe District, Godab Estate, Brains and Hammers, ACO Estate, Paradise Estate, Kafe Garden Estate, Sunshine Estate, etc. comprising Life camp and environs were given partial ban because of large concentration of estates in the areas,” Ifeanyi stated.
Speaking during the meeting held between the operators and the Transportation Secretariat, the Secretary Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido informed the Unions leaders that the services they are providing in the territory have come with lots of issues and the administration will not shy away from tackling the issues ‘We will find solutions to the challenges’.
He decried the loss of lives and property associated with the activities of the riders and stated that the administration will not hesitate to discipline any group that tend to cause hardship on other residents.
“We have a mandate to reposition things in the Territory with civility and respect. Government will explain to you why certain actions have to be taken and your cooperation will be highly appreciated”.
The secretary urged the union leaders to identify the bad eggs amongst them and flush them out reminding them that the administration’s traffic and road transport laws must be obeyed at all times.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Mr Ikharo Attah, regretted that both tricycle and motorcycle operators have not reciprocated the ministers good gestures to them and stated that if they had respected the laws of the territory governing their operation there would not have been any need for the ban.
He called on the leadership of the unions to hearken to the voice of reason and do the right thing.
He condemned ‘okada’ riders who go about with ‘dagger’ questioning their intensions.
He said carrying dagger means you have the intension to kill and allowing them to operate in the territory will not be at the detriment of other residents.
The Director Administration and Finance, Transportation Secretariat, Usman Musa Yahaya in his contribution noted that both “keke and Okada” operators have violated all the routes allocated to them and are operating almost everywhere in the city.
He particularly frowned at the breach of security associated with their activities and stated that the time for strict enforcement is now.
The Director noted that many of the operators are being used to facilitate all manners of criminality in the city stressing that such threats must be stopped forthwith.