Over 2000 commercial motor cycle riders in Benin City, yesterday stormed the Edo State Government House and State Assembly complex, protesting what they described as exorbitant levies and extortion from the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.

The protesters carrying placards, disrupted economic activities at Ring road and other adjoining streets for more than three hours and appealed to government to come to their rescue.

But in a swift reaction, the chairman of RTEAN Comrade Osakpanwa Eriyo debunked the allegations, saying “we are only collecting what is due to the association. They are only trying to destroy our name over unfounded allegations”.

However, the protesters alleged that apart from the N50 they were asked to pay by the state government “we are also being asked to pay for jackets and other revenues by members of the RTEAN and any body who refused to pay is usually beaten up. We are aware that we were only told to be paying N50 so we want government to know what we are going through because the extra money they are extorting from us may not be going into government purse”.

Eriyo who briefed newsmen in Benin City yesterday, lamented that “government is losing over N400,000 daily because RTEAN members are not allowing vehicles in the parks to wait for their turn so that we can collect the normal government revenue. These vehicles no longer load in the parks they will connive with RTEAN members and be running along the road which is very wrong.

“You now find out that in a day only about eight vehicles will be issued tickets in the park and that is affecting government revenue. We are appealing to the Comrade Governor to wade into this matter so that drivers and Okada riders will not be over taxed by RTEAN members is creating so much tension, he stated

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/okada-riders-protest-in-benin/

Maybe it is because 'Okada' is a location in Edo State that is why the government supports 'Okada Riding'.

this okada thing is getting out off hand

Make una go siddon for corner make we see road.

Setting an example for their colleagues in Lagos.

4th to coment. Gues i knw y. #DRY THREAD#

Omerian Consult: Setting an example for their colleagues in Lagos.

Expect a show in Lagios soon!

Okada and their wahala sha

aglomar: Expect a show in Lagios soon!

They should be reasoned with. Nobody prays to be an okada man, even graduates are among them

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What is Edo government still waiting for?

A well organised modern city doesn't have commercial bike riders as part of the scenes.

To do what used to be a very minor thing such as crossing a very narrow road is now becoming next to impossible to do without having to run across.

Edo government should ban those thugs on motor bikes, abeg!

There is no more Okada in the rest of the south south. All states in the South South have moved beyond Okada and adopted better means of transport except Edo State. It's time for our comrade Governor to take a cue from the rest and join the move towards advancement. From what I've seen, Okada actually impedes the growth of better transport modes.

Okay,next news www.onlinemoneydon.com

Why protesting while keke is an alternative.

With the ban of okada on certain roads in Lagos, there is definitely more sanity. Oshiomole should ban them in Benin and adopt a more modern system of transportation. They are primarily a major nuisance.

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Black Peni5: Maybe it is because 'Okada' is a location in Edo State that is why the government supports 'Okada Riding'.

What a dumb comment

This Okada issue na wah. The last time i was in benin city and was at a traffic light stop, over 20 okadas where at my sides, front and back. I was really scared.

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rhema4u: .

Thses guys should be giving chance to to make their living. gov,is not providing jobs for them,so hw can they feed their families.

Frostyzone: What is Edo government still waiting for?

A well organised modern city doesn't have commercial bike riders as part of the scenes.

To do what used to be a very minor thing such as crossing a very narrow road is now becoming next to impossible to do without having to run across.

Edo government should ban those thugs on motor bikes, abeg!

do u live in edostate...emm...NO...bike riders in Edostate can DIE FOR OSHOMOLE.his relationship with them is just like father to sons...it cant fit to happen,osho baba loves em 2much.they played a major part in his protest to win over Pdp

tonididdy: do u live in edostate...emm...NO...bike riders in Edostate can DIE FOR OSHOMOLE.his relationship with them is just like father to sons...it cant fit to happen,osho baba loves em 2much.they played a major part in his protest to win over Pdp

You write like a typical Okada man.

#No offense intended.

when i go through comments these days, i can't help but notice that an average nigerian is wicked, selfish, greedy, inconsiderate and outrightly myopic. Some people don't even understand what others go through before saying the rubbish they are programmed to say. Fashola banned okada riders in lag, do u know how many people were left jobless? Do u know how many people had to withdraw their kids from school? In other words, do u know how many 'presents' and 'futures' have been destroyed from that singular act of a governmment's lack of consideration and vision?? A government should have a human face and not just for the rich. If u are fortunate enough to have things good, please remember the unfortunate brave and courageous ones who against all odds hustle and toil under most harsh and unfavourable conditions just to make a decent living for themselves and their families. Its not the fault of most of them that they are the way they are, we shouldn't persecute, blame and purnish them for it.

Everyone should have is own share of the govt

Frostyzone:

You write like a typical Okada man.

#No offense intended.

hahahaha so okada rider get time for nairaland abi.

You all dont even understand the whole issue here... the OKADA RIDERS ARE ACTUALLY PROTESTING TO LET THE GOVERNMENT KNOW HOW MUCH THE GOVERNMENT IS LOSING IN TERMS OF REVENUE... they said the govt loses abt 400,000 daily due to sharp practices of the RTEAN MEMBERS... so its not like somebody is disrupting their activities

Costa2000:
hahahaha so okada rider get time for nairaland abi.

Shine ya eyes, bro. Okada riders dey everywhere.

#By their comments we shall know them.

Frostyzone:

You write like a typical Okada man.

#No offense intended.

chai aba-sim-bor i don suffer,me tonididdy okadaman...hmm give me a minute to search for the link to the thread where i bought my 3rd car(a toyota highlander),meanwhile i was speaking as a cabinet member of the oshiomole administration.its ok to judge,thats the fun in this lol

Black Peni5: Maybe it is because 'Okada' is a location in Edo State that is why the government supports 'Okada Riding'.

Must you always show your shallow reasoning on nairaland. The comrade Governor has said he would not stop the use of bikes cos it is the only means of survival for a good percentage of people in Edo State. How would they survive if it is banned. You know Comrade Adams is a people driven Governor. As for protest, that one no be news now for Edo. A week hardly passes without one form of protest. You can't blame them though afterall the Governor lived all his life protesting. Last year, the Governor mobilized the people and marched the streets in protest. He should look into their grievances though

[size=8pt][/size]There are too many people on Nairaland who have never experienced the luxury of rational thinking