Following the rising state of insecurity in the state, especially in the capital territory and its environs, the state government has banned commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) from operating in Asaba, the capital territory and its environs, comprising of Oshimili South and Oshimili North. Other area are Sapele, Ika and Uvwie local government areas.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, announced the ban after the state government weekly executive meeting. He stated that the ban takes immediate effect but outright ban will be June 1.
According to him, the move was to prevent security challenges in the state and that anyone who violates the ban would be arrested, the motorcycle seized, destroyed and made to face mobile courts.
Dr Emu debunk the speculation that the ban is targeted at certain tribes. “The move is not to victimise other tribes nor encourage division. It is to save life and property. People have been raped. To avoid crimes necessitated it,” he said.
The SSG explained that the ban was deliberately extended to cover other areas. He noted that the transport unions are not affected, stressing that the law has been in existence since 2012 but not implemented.
“They vandalise transformers, cables and make residents restless. There are security men on ground to prevent violation. Even Oshimili South and North Local Government areas have come out with their bylaws to ban scrap metal scavengers (iron condemn),” Emu stated.
