Don’t ban okada in Minna, NUJ begs Aliyu

The Nigeria Union of Journalists on Thursday appealed to the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, to reconsider plans to ban the operations of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, in Minna, the state capital.
The Niger State Government had indicated its preparedness to ban commercial motorcycle operations from January 2, 2014 because of hazards traceable to the operators.
Many of them are involved in road usage abuses, which has left many Nigerlites injured, and some have been using it for robbery operations.
Also worried by the recklessness on the part of the operators, which has resulted in a number of deaths while others sustained permanent life threatening injuries, the state government had earlier allowed the motorcyclists to operate between 7am and 7pm.
The government, also in a bid to ensure that most of the operators were not thrown out of jobs, acquired about 1,000 tricycles, popularly known as Keke, and cars to be used for commercial purposes by unemployed graduates.
Addressing a press conference in Minna, the Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Illya Garba, said the appeal to the state government to reconsider its hand stance on commercial operators is because many of the operators depended on it for survival.
Garba said: “Inasmuch as the state government has genuine reasons to ban commercial motorcycle because many of the operators are reckless in their driving, there is the need for the state government to consider the positive side of Okada above the negative side.”
Garba, who also announced the postponement of the planned Press week of the Union, said though the Union was aware of the use of motorcycles for criminal tendencies and incessant life threatening accidents.
He said: “The fact that some of the operators depended on the proceeds for family support should be considered above all.
“We are aware of the state government’s good intentions by the banning of commercial motorcycle.
“It will also be worthy of note that many families survive on what they get from the proceeds.”
While expressing the unions’ resolve to support the present administration, the NUJ chairman appealed to Governor Aliyu to consider any alternative options to the ban in order not to expose some Nigerlites to untold hardship.
Furthermore, he said: “The government can explore other means of regulating the operations, perhaps by evolving some security tips members must adhere strictly to in order to reduce accidents.”