Okada Riding Banned In Enugu

The Enugu state governor, Sullivan Chime, in a bid to keep in check the activities of criminals and protect lives and properties, has signed into law a bill banning the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’ in Enugu state.

Chime signed the bill before the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly. Eugene Odo, the House Leader, Udo Okoye and other major officers of the government.

Violators of the ban will get one year imprisonment without the option of a fine according to the law.

“The House of Assembly today passed the bill and we have enacted the law which primary goal is the protection of lives and property of our people. This exercise, effectively, bans the use of motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada in Enugu metropolis,” the governor said.

“As a government, we made efforts to streamline the operations of the genuine operators but these efforts, unfortunately, had not been fruitful because crime rate rose and most of the crimes were facilitated by the use of motorcycles by evil-minded persons.

“It got so bad that the law enforcement agencies officially requested the ban of motorcycles because of the menace of the men of the underworld who have been using them to perpetrate crimes. As a responsive and responsible government, we have enacted this law in the best interest of all of us.”