By Onomiguren Agbamu
Delta State Government, Thursday, banned the use of commercial motorcycle, popularly known as “Okada” as within the state capital territory and it environ.
The State Government also banned scrap metaI scavenging, also known as ‘iron condemn’, in the state capital, Asaba, with immediate effect.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Kingsley Emu, disclosed this in Asaba, during a briefing with journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Emu, said the ban, is necessitated by the preponderance of crime being committed with Okada and the frequently reported cases of vandalism of public facilities by the scavengers, would take effect tomorrow (Friday), though strict enforcement would commence June 1, 2024.
Emu clarified that the ban implied that no ‘iron condemn’ cart pusher would operate in any part of the State Capital Territory after May 31, 2024, adding that commercial motorcycle operations had also been prohibited in some parts of the Capital Territory not covered by the earlier ban.
He said an adequate sensitization campaign would be mounted before the commencement of enforcement, pointing out that the ban was not targeted at any particular tribe, but in the interest of peace and security.
The SSG said: “the biggest news on traffic regulations is the ban or prohibition of commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, effective tomorrow. All OKada riders in Delta State capital territory area, all the streets, are banned forthwith.
“If you are caught, we will confiscate and destroy the okada as well as other massive sanctions in terms of fines and a possible jail term.
“This decision has become imperative arising from the huge security challenges that we have. Our people are openly violated, families are raped and the people who commit these crimes easily run away on Okada.
“In Delta Capital Territory Development area, it’s total and outright ban in all the areas. We must do this to protect the lives and property of people.
“We understand that there are some few innocent people but the preponderance of crime being perpetrated with Okada has necessitated this decision. It has been a major issue at the security council meeting severally and, thereafter, Exco concluded today.
“There are other designated streets in Ethiope East, Ika North East, Oshimili North and South, Sapele, Uwvie and Warri South Local Government Areas affected. These regulations are being enforced since 2012, 2013, 2014, with improvements on them.
“But it has never been operational. All these regulations came at the peak of security challenges. When it was a little under control, it was relaxed and there were no strong sanctions to deter people. It has now become imperative that it must be enforced.
“We are going to give up till 31st of May for people to adjust and comply. Effective June 1st, all the security agencies will be engaged to enforce compliance. We will crush all the seized Okadas in the public place.
“Oshimili North and South have also, in their respective By-laws, banned ‘iron condemn’ or scrap metal scavenging. Effective tomorrow, we expect them to wind down their activities and as from on the 1st of June, enforcement will start.
“We do know the type of havoc these people have brought to the system, how our transformer cables have been vandalized and even assets in our private homes.
“We cannot fold our hands as a state. Laws are always made in the interest of the larger population. We will give enough notice to them. We will publicise all the streets involved,” Emu added.
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