Motorcycle association to begin digital identification of okada riders

The Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Association of Nigeria (ROMAN) say plans are being made to issue digital identification to its members in a bid to check criminality among members.

Speaking on Sunday, October 23, during a sensitisation meeting at Karu, federal capital territory (FCT), Olusola Razaq, national president of the association, said the development would help to regulate the activities of commercial motorcyclists and prevent outright bans by the federal and state governments.

He said his leadership had already hired an ICT firm to conduct a digital image capture of every member across the country for proper identification.

He said:

“The reason we are here is to inaugurate the FCT executive ahead of the national reforms as ordered by the federal government.

“And like I said, we have gotten a company that will create a database for our members to ensure proper identification of all members since there are other existing unions across the country.”

Razaq said preparations were being made to ask the national assembly to draft a national regulation act for the association.

He continued:

“Days are gone when okada riders are used for political thuggery. “Of course, we know that the new Electoral Act does not give room for such anymore.

“So our efforts now is to ensure that okada riders are well sensitised like every other Nigerian who can also live their normal lives like good citizens of this country.

“We are also negotiating with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) on the issue of members getting their number plates, to stop disobeying road rules, avoid road crashes and sudden deaths.

“We are also doing this to help millions of Nigerians get out of poverty because many families have waited for white-collar jobs endlessly.

“So, what I am saying is that commercial motorcyclists have contributed and is still contributing to providing employment for youths.

“It will also interest you to know that we have set up a national task force in each state we operate to ensure compliance.”

Okada Ban: Lagos to crush seized motorcycles

The Lagos State Government, Wednesday, announced its plan to crush commercial motorcycles called Okada, seized during enforcement.

A statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, said the motorcycles will be crushed on Friday.

“Law enforcement agencies seized many motorcycles today (Wednesday),” he said.

“They will all be crushed on Friday in the presence of the media.”

A fresh ban, which took effect on Wednesday, was imposed by the government following the mob attack that led to the death of David Imoh, a sound engineer in the Lekki area of the state.

The ban was imposed across six local government areas – Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa and nine local government councils areas.

It’s not the first time the government would impose the measure. In January 2020, the government banned the operation of motorcyclists in 15 local councils across the state.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that many motorcyclists popularly called Okada in many parts of Lagos complied with the ban.

Alternatives

The ban, which is the first phase, was imposed following security and safety concerns, the commissioner said.

He said the state government has rolled out alternatives to cushion the effects of the ban in many areas.

“Many small buses, under the First Mile and Last Mile Scheme, were rolled out extensively in Surulere, Gbagada, Lekki, Lagos Island, and other parts of Lagos,” the statement reads.

“A number of taxicabs under the LAGRIDE scheme were deployed in Lagos Island, Ikeja, Surulere, Lekki and other places.

“The waterways were also busy as Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) put more ferries on their routes.”

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