Amaechi said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the celebration of the national day of Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria.
The minister advised state governments not to ban commercial cyclists but train them to reduce their recklessness on the road and ensure strict compliance with rules and regulations.
He said, “I don’t think we should ban Okada because if we do, it will affect the economy; they only need to be trained to obey rules and regulations.
“The issue of security, safety and regulation should be dealt with at the state level; state governments should train Okada riders.”
He urged the operators avoid recklessness and obey traffic rules and regulations in order to reduce the rate of accidents.
According to him, commercial cyclists play vital roles in the transportation sector, especially in transporting agricultural produce where roads are not easily accessible.
He said, “We know you play a vital role in the economy: Not all buses, taxis can access our roads for agricultural purposes; a lot of Nigerians depend on you because your services are cheap.
“The economy cannot only grow through white collar jobs; everybody doesn’t need to depend on government and what you have done is to be self-employed to feed yourselves.”
Shehu Babangida, National President of ACOMORAN, said that the day was an annual event designed to celebrate the informal sector in Nigeria.
He said the association’s 12 million membership had massively reduced the rate of unemployment and criminality in the country by engaging vulnerable youths.
The ACOMORAN president thanked the minister and former Zamfara governor, Senator Sani Yerima, as well as other dignitaries, for gracing the occasion. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I don't understand the minister, you ban okada while you were the governor of Rivers state. How come you are now doing otherwise. if the recklessness of this okada riders is considered they should be banned. There so many people that has been maimed or killed due to the way and manner they carry out their rides.
ReplyDeleteDon't mind him. Dat's Amaechi for you. He talks from the both sides of his mouth. A deceiver!
DeleteAll the people that had accident on the highway in the East this week and last week we're not caused by Okadas oh. Mean we should not even drive. Cos car accidents these days are worse off than Okada
ReplyDeleteBlock head, who is talking about accident here?
DeleteWe are talking about their aiding and commitment of crimes!