Nation
Civil War Veteran Cautions FG Over Bid To Outlaw Okada
Nigeria’s civil war veteran and elder statesman, Alhaji Ahmed Adoke, has cautioned the Federal Government over plans to slam a ban on the use of commercial motorcycles as means of transportation in the country.
Adoke, a human rights activist, yesterday in Abuja, explained that the reason adduced by the Federal Government to justify the planned ban of commercial motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’ nationwide is not only ridiculous but an admission of failure that government has no solution to insecurity challenges.
In a statement issued to journalists, Adoke warned the Federal Government not to actualise the planned ban on Okada riders on the ground that the multiple negative effects would be too much for the nation to bear.
He said that the failure of the Federal Government to provide jobs for the teaming university graduates has forced them to opt for the job of commercial motorcycles, adding that any attempts to enforce the ban could spell doom for the nation.
For such a ban to be meaningful and acceptable, the elder statesman insisted that government must first find alternative means of livelihood for the millions of Nigerian youths who have taken to Okada riding to keep their lives together.
Similarly, he canvassed that other visible means of transportation must be provided for the market men and women as well as civil servants to enable them keep up with the realities of the present economic hardships.
Adoke said using insurgency, banditry and terrorism as grounds and reasons to impose a ban on the use of motorcycles as a means of transportation will not be acceptable to Nigerians.
He said that the Federal Government must come out in clear terms to explain to Nigerians how Okada riders should be held responsible for insurgency, banditry and terrorism when the operators are well known in the communities and even operate under government registered associations.
Adoke’s statement read in part “Last Friday, 22nd July, 2022, Nigerian Dailies and other media outfits were awash with the news that the Federal Government of Nigeria was considering banning the use/distribution of Motorcycles, as well as mining activities in the country.
“The news followed the press statement issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who briefed the press on the outcome of the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari during the week.
“The move according to the minister was one of the resolutions reached at the meeting.
“It is the belief of the National Security Council that both decisions, when implemented will help to check the menace of terrorists, Boko Haram and Bandits among others.
“To several Nigerians, the decision to ban the use of motorcycles in the country is not only ridiculous but an open admission that government lacks a solution to the security challenges in the country.
“It is very clear that the use of motorcycles by terrorists, bandits or Boko Haram to the scene of operation falls into the semi-final stage of their operations; meaning that they can be checked at the early stage before execution if the intelligence unit of the nation’s security outfit is effectively utilised.
“Several questions that linger in the minds of Nigerians are; will there be no other means of transportation available to the terrorists?
”Is it not possible that terrorists can even strike at their target without the use of any modern means of transportation?
“Again, weighing the economic implication of the Federal Government’s decision on the ban on motorcycles, there is no denying the fact that across the nation, today, the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes has become a major source of employment and livelihood for needy Nigerians.
“Thus, throwing these people into the unemployment market would pose a bigger security threat to the country.
”Is it not also baffling that the government is in the knowledge of the base or hide-outs of the criminals and yet the government cannot do anything.
“Government or its agents sometimes go into negotiation with the terrorists, meaning that government cannot deny knowledge of where the terrorists are hiding.
“For instance, terrorists behind the Kaduna train attack released some captives on two different occasions after the payment of heavy ransom. Is it not cowardice that Nigerian Security could not locate where the rest captives are kept in the bush for their release?
“Is it not in this country that terrorists or bandits are photographed with their captives, release video threats to the helpless and yet the Federal Government failed to act to rescue her citizens?
“Motorcycle is a veritable means of transport to average Nigerians and below and as government cannot just decide to impose a ban on its use without weighing the consequences, especially on those to be rendered jobless.
“It is incomprehensible to listen to President Muhammadu Buhari that he is eager to leave office, meaning that he is no longer keen or has become helpless in the affairs of Nigeria.
“Then, let President Buhari resign and hand over to his vice. Undoubtedly, Nigerians are tired of the rampant cases of killings by terrorists, bandits and Boko Haram”.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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