Governor Willie Obiano
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]nambra State Government has insisted that operations of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada will be banned beginning from July 1st in Onitsha and Awka. Governor Willie Obiano stated this during the 2018 Annual Seminar of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council held in Awka. Governor Obiano explained that the July 1st ban will be for commercial motorcyclists in Onitsha and Awka and their neighbouring towns.
While noting that the State government is making alternative arrangements to provide more shuttle buses to cover as many routes as possible, Governor Obiano called on transporters to take advantage of the opportunity and invest in deploying shuttles and tricycles to complement government’s efforts.He said in considering the plight of Ndi Anambra who may be affected by the ban, his government has designed a hire purchase arrangement where they will be provided tricycles and shuttles and they pay in installments over a period of time.The Governor who explained that the ban is solely in the best interest of Ndi Anambra and residents in the State, said it will help government decisively address cases of motorbike robbery in many parts of the State which has been on the increase in recent times.He further said by 1st of August, this year, the State government will vacate the shanties located opposite the Onitsha prison because of the series of crimes reportedly perpetrated there.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, said the traditional rulers have a role to hold their communities in the line of development, peace and security, to make the job of governance less cumbersome for the government.
In his remarks, one of the participants, who is also the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka, said the seminar is strategic as experiences shared among themselves will help promote grassroot development as well as help preempt and forestall crises in the communities.