More than 100,000 registered commercial motorcycle operators will be thrown out of job if the Kaduna State Government bans the use of commercial motorcycles, an official of the “Okada” riders has said.
Alhaji Garba Rabiu, the state Chairman of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, made the claim in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Rabiu, who was reacting to the passage of the executive bill on the ban of “Okada” operation in parts of the state by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, said the decision would have negative economic consequences on many families.
The chairman said the state government had not yet contacted the union on the matter, but said the union would remain steadfast in protecting its members.
Rabiu noted that the use of commercial motorcycles had greatly reduced unemployment, and decried attempt to link the operators to increasing criminal activities in the state.
He advised Governor Mukhtar Yero to provide adequate palliatives to cushion the problems the ban may create when the bill is signed into law.
He said: “Any decision the government is going to take must create alternative means of livelihood for the over 100,000 registered Okada riders in the state.
“Members of the union should remain calm, be law abiding and not do anything to disrupt existing peace in the state.
“As leaders, we will make sure the interest of every one of our member is fully protected.”
The chairman appreciated the efforts of the government for including its members in the distribution of tricycles under the SURE-P in 2013.
According to Rabiu, 239 tricycles were issued to the members at subsidised rate.
He said such gesture must be extended to all “Okada” riders to be affected by the ban.
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