Okada or commercial
motorcycle riders in different parts of Nigeria experienced mixed fortunes with
some places promising them a bright future while others imposing an outright
ban on their operation.
Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, the candidate for
governorship in Ekiti state, representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
assured Okada riders that they would enjoy the freedom to operate without fear
that their activities would be proscribed, once he became governor.
Fayose
made these statements in Ire-ekiti in local government area in the state while
he was campaigning ward to ward. He
requested Okada owners not to vote for a party
which on forming government was likely to throw them into the swelling
group of unemployed in the country.
Mr.
Idowu Adelusi, spokesman for Fayose released a press statement in Ado Ekiti
saying that Fayose was concerned that the APC party would exploit the vote bank
of Okada riders to clinch the election, only to later curb their operations. He,
on his part, assured Okada riders that he would not curb their operations, but
only provide them an environment conducive to reduce Okada accidents to the
bare minimum.
The number
of registered Okadas in Nigeria is around 8 million. Babangida Maihula,
president of National
Motorcycle and Tricycle Riders Association said that around 8 million Okadas
were registered with his association. Maihula said that out of 8, five million
Okadas did not possess micro insurance policy.
He told News agencies
sin Lagos that micro insurance had been designed to help Okadas and tricycles. The
payment of premium depended on the type off policy- whether third party,
comprehensive or personal (sickness/accident).
He explained that
Okada riders could pay the premium after doing the work for a week. Before
Okada riders could not benefit from insurance. Now the story is different and
they have been provided micro-insurance to suit their needs.
Once the problem
has occurred, the Okada rider could contact the unit head and could immediately
get indemnified. An annual premium payment of N 160,000 could be paid annually
without feeling the pinch. Mr. Maihula
said the micro insurance policy products were selling well as it was proving
as beneficial.
But there was bad
news for Okada riders elsewhere. The House of assembly in Kaduna state passed a
law banning commercial motorbikes in parts of the state.
Hon. Peter Adamu,
the speaker of the house, said that the law would cover areas like Kaduna North
and Zaria Township. He said that anyone who did not adhere to the law would be
punished with a fine below N 10,000 or imprisonment for three months or both.
He said all
offenders will be tried by magisterial courts related to areas established in
the schedule that will impose punishment, sanctions, or orders like confiscation
of motorcycles.
Okadas have been
banned in other states like Lagos and Kano.
If you wish to
follow this story, or the other Delta state news on Okada, visit the
site www.deltaherald.com.
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