Oyo State Government Distributes Reflective Jackets to Registered Commercial Motorcyclists
Olubunmi Osoteku
As part of efforts to ensure improved security and safety and reduce crimes occasioned by the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde has presented fifteen thousand (15,000) free reflective jackets to commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as “Okada riders”, in Ibadan, the state capital.
The move, according to the governor, is a follow-up to an earlier registration of the operators in the state, noting that one of the strategic pillars of the administration under Omituntun 2.0 and Roadmap to Sustainable Development of 2022 to 2027 is security of lives and property.
Speaking on behalf of the governor at the symbolic presentation held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Babatunde Musbaudeen, said the government had demonstrated friendliness and empathy towards the commercial motorcyclists and called for reciprocation through cooperation and support from operators.
He stated that the move would enable the government to, through its agencies, properly monitor the activities of ‘okada’ riders, warning that anyone who does not wear the reflective jacket is definitely not a registered okada rider and would be challenged and arrested by security operatives.
Checkmate Crime
The commissioner called on leaders of the ‘Okada’ Riders’ Association in the state to join hands with the government to achieve the intended result in its strides towards safety and security on the road.
He further noted that a security barcode had been embossed on the reflective jackets, making it impossible for anyone to fake it.
He urged commercial motorcyclists to endeavour to comply with the government’s directive to paint their motorcycles in the approved colour for identification and to make it easy to fish out those he described as unscrupulous elements in the society masquerading as ‘okada’ riders.
“Sometime ago, we brought up a programme, Residents’ Registration Exercise, that encompasses all the citizens and residents of the state.
In furtherance of that successful programme, the governor, in his magnanimity, is also bringing up another initiative in securing lives and property of residents of Oyo State by distributing reflective jackets to all “Okada riders” in the state, 15,000 in the first phase, free of charge.
And also, in order to enhance the rule of law in Oyo State, we don’t want a situation whereby ‘okada’ riders would be riding against traffic rule.
So, we have a unique identifier that such violator can actually be tracked immediately and there’s a barcode on these particular reflective jackets that can not be faked,” Musibaudeen said.
Governor Makinde’s ‘Magnanimity’
Earlier in his opening remark, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, highlighted the magnanimity and friendly disposition of Governor Makinde towards commercial transporters, particularly ‘Okada’ riders.
Oyelade maintained that even though states, including Lagos, had taken stricter position, banning ‘Okada’-riding, Governor Makinde, considering the source of livelihood of ‘Okada’ riders, household finances of their families, and the socioeconomic impact of commercial motorcyclists on the state’s economy, had been liberal on operators in the state and refrained from taking similar strict position.
He appealed to the commercial motorcyclists in the state to reciprocate Makinde’s magnanimity by ensuring full compliance with all extant and relevant laws of the state guiding their operations, warning that violators of those laws would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The commissioner noted that Makinde’s magnanimity was borne out of his humble background and reiterated that the state government would not tolerate any act of lawlessness or indiscipline from any ‘Okada’ rider in the state.
Stakeholders
In their separate reactions, stakeholders at the event, including the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle Owners, Riders, Repairers Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Oyo State Chapter, commended Makinde for his compassion and magnanimity towards the operation of ‘Okada’ riders and tricycle operators in the state by being lenient on them despite the position of neighbouring Lagos State.
(Lagos State Government has prohibited commercial motorcycles commonly known as “okadas” in 10 local government areas (LGAs) and 15 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the city.)
The Oyo State Chairman of ACOMORAN, Dr. Solomon Olugbode, commended Makinde for his efforts at making life better and comfortable for residents and commercial motorcyclists but noted that most issues culminating in acts of lawlessness on the road do not always emanate from riders but private commuters.
He, however, assured that his members would continue to cooperate, collaborate, and partner with the state government in its strides towards improving on the safety and security of riders and other road users.
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