June 21, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State Government has again banned the activities of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, within the Calabar Metropolis.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, in Calabar.
Ogbeche said the Governor, Sen Bassey Otu, has directed “a total ban on the activities of all commercial motorcyclists within the Calabar Metropolis.
“Those willing to use their motorcycles to earn a decent living are restricted only to remote areas away from the city centre.
“Anyone caught going against this directive will have the motorcycle impounded and the offender prosecuted,” the release said.
Ogbeche said the ban follows due consultation with key security chiefs in the state.
He also said the Government warns those involved in criminal vandalisation of public amenities like street lights, lamp posts, traffic lights, etc to desist as culprits will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
This is not the first time the Government is placing a ban on commercial motorcycles in the state.
During Donald Duke’s administration, the activities of commercial motorcycles were regulated and restricted to some remote parts of the state. They were also required to get registered and operate with helmets and vests for proper identification.
However, the succeeding administration of Liyel Imoke placed a total ban on commercial motorcycles in the Calabar Metropolis and the ban was reinforced by the Ben Ayade administration because some operators were associated with criminal activities.
However, motorcycle operations have been resurging within the Calabar Metropolis and have been expanding with the removal of the petroleum subsidy.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
