Chime Signs Law On Okada Ban

The Enugu state government has  enacted a law  banning the operations of motorcycles otherwise known as Okada within the Enugu metropolis.

The State Governor, Barrister Sullivan Chime while signing the Bill into law in the presence of the House Speaker, Hon. Eugene Odo, House Leader, Hon. S.K.E. Udo Okoye and other principal officers of Government, noted that the law aims to checkmate the activities of men of the underworld and ultimately protect lives and property of the people.

The law, he said prescribes one year imprisonment without any option of fine for violators.

According to him, “The House of Assembly  passed the bill and we have enacted the law whose primary goal is the protection of lives and property of our people. This exercise, effectively bans the use of motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada within the Enugu metropolis”.

Continuing, Governor Chime  said: “As a Government, we made efforts to streamline the operations of the genuine operators but these efforts, unfortunately, had not been fruitful because crime rate rose and most of the crimes were facilitated by the use of motorcycles by other evil-minded persons.

“It got so bad that the law enforcement agents officially requested the ban of motorcycles because of the menace of the men of the underworld who have been using them to perpetrate their crimes. As a responsive and responsible Government, we have enacted this law in the best interest of all of us.” He added.

The state Chief Executive  used the forum to enjoin the people to embrace other means of transport available in the city, adding that in the past few years, Government injected over 700 taxis in the metropolis in addition to tens of hundreds by the private sector as well as the Coal City Shuttle and other buses.

“We regret any inconveniences this ban may cause the commuters but it had to be taken in the best interest of all of us. So, we plead with our people to obey the law as we also urge the law enforcement agents to, please, ensure strict enforcement of the law in our overall interest”, Governor Chime further stressed.

Meanwhile, motorcycles operating within the Enugu metropolis  have already disappeared within the stipulated areas to avoid possible arrest by law enforcement agents and one year imprisonment without any option of fine, as stipulated by the new law.

Our correspondent who went to the affected areas reports that thousands of commuters are now finding it very difficult to get to their various destinations, especially areas where taxi cabs do not ply for one reason or the other.