₦airaland Forum

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Anambra State government has followed the footsteps of Lagos State to ban motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) from operating in major highways in the metropolis, effect from June 1, 2015, Daily Independent reports.

In a statement jointly signed by commissioner for information, culture and tourism, Dr. Uju Nwogu and the commissioner for transport, Chuma Mbonu, in Awka, the state capital, said the state government new regulation affects all private and commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators.
Hence, it would be illegal for all motorcycles either private or commercial to ply the designated roads.

In Awka, it will be forbidden to ply Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Arthur Eze Avenue and Ziks Avenue, while in Onitsha, okada and keke should not be seen on Onitsha-Owerri expressway, Awka Road, Borromeo-Upper Iweka-Bridge Head road, Old and New Market roads and Oguta Road.

In Nnewi, Nnewi- Nnobi road and Nnewi – Oba road are expected to be okada and keke free. These roads are believed to be the busiest in the state.

The government said all commuters, who want to use the aforementioned roads are to use tricycles, taxis and buses provided by the state government and other commercial vehicle owners.

Also, it will be illegal for tricycles to ply the expressway both in Awka and Onitsha.

The government said law enforcement agencies, in the state have been directed to ensure strict compliance to the directive, warning that failure to comply will lead to confiscation of the mobility or will pay the sum of N5,000 and N10,000, respectively to serve as a deterrence.

The statement said: “Any motorcycle or tricycle operator caught violating this directive will have his motorcycle or tricycle impounded, retrievable by the payment of a fine of five thousand naira for motorcycles and ten thousand naira for tricycles for first offenders.

“Subsequent arrest for a second violation of this directive will attract outright confiscation of the motorcycle or tricycle by the state government.” 

News of the ban will not be welcomed by many of the operators, who had on Monday, announced that they will resist any attempt by Governor Obiano to ban their operations in parts of the state.

The motorcyclists on the platform of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN), issued a warning that, the ban on their operations in the state will lead to a surge in crime rate because some people will be unemployed.


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