The Federal Government has signaled its intention to place a ban on the use of motorcycles, popularly known as “Okada” as a means of transportation throughout the country.
Punch reports that the proposal was made by the national council of transport and endorsed by the minister of transport, Idris Umar at the council’s annual conference held in Enugu state on Saturday, October 25, 2014.
The ministry of transport speaking via a statement said the proposed ban was directed at providing safe and secure transportation throughout the country.
It said it reached the decision after a meeting with all state commissioners of transport, permanent secretaries, directors, and officials in state ministries of transport across the country, advising all states to desist from encouraging the use of motorcycles as a form of public transport.
The statement read in part: “All states and the Federal Capital Territory have therefore been advised to establish a public transport system that ensure strict regulation of the operation of public passenger transportation system through a well-articulated management system for enhanced safety, security, effective and efficient service delivery.
“The states are to also develop master plans for the development of intelligent transport system to facilitate the development and management of their transport operations in line with emerging trends and global best practices.”
The statement also stated that the council agreed on the registration of commercial vehicles in all states, with enumeration to be carried out on a periodical bases to ensure safety and security if citizens.
