Rather than ban operations of Okada Riders in Oyo State, the State Government, through the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Administration, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, has reiterated that the Government will register them and regulate their activities efficiently within the transportation system .
This was while he played host to the management team of MAX, YAMAHA NG at the SSG’s conference room in the Governor’s office at the State Secretariat, Ibadan.
He said placing a total ban on the Okada riders will be in contrast to the mission of this administration to move the people from poverty to prosperity, as those class of people will be deprived of their livelihood.
Rev. Ogedengbe stated that Oyo State government would prefer to leverage data, science and logic towards policy enactments by giving every business operator, motorcycle and tricycle riders included, the opportunity to operate within a regulated system which could include biometric registration and data base management.
He said “there are law abiding Okada riders and there are some criminal elements among them as well, what we will do as a Government is to go after those using motorcycles to commit crimes, get them arrested and prosecute them accordingly”.
“Instead of proscribing activities of okada riders, we want to give them opportunity to operate within a well regulated system by capturing their details through biometric and ensure that they are within the data base of the Oyo State Government “.
He added that the State Government had started capturing them (Okada Riders) both individual operators and motorcycle owners.
He furthered that the Government would also partner with registered neighborhood associations towards enhancing the process for the registration of all the motorcycles and tricycles in the State.
“Our people are not lazy, they want to work, even though some people come from neighbouring States to Oyo State among the Okada riders, the State is open to accommodating them in as much as they will be law abiding and do not pose any threat to the State. All residents in the State are free to work and earn a living, we can not stop them, because the Nigerian constitution allows everybody to live in any part of the country”.
“We want more productive people to be part of our economy towards contributing their own quotas to the development of the State”.
The team leader of the guests (MAX, Yamaha, MBSN) Mr Adetayo Bamiduro in his remarks, said that the team will collaborate with the State Government in training and re -training of drivers, technician and operators in the transportation industry.
The company stated that it is introducing electric two and three wheelers as well as motor vehicles in order to promote a more eco friendly environment.
