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Chime bans Okada in Enugu

The Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime on Tuesday signed into law, a bill banning operations of motorcycles otherwise known as Okada in Enugu metropolis. Advertisement … Continue reading Chime bans Okada in Enugu


The Okada riders are demanding that the court gives an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Lagos state government from hindering their operation or arresting their members for using commercial motorcycles

The Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime on Tuesday signed into law, a bill banning operations of motorcycles otherwise known as Okada in Enugu metropolis.

Mr Chime, who signed the law in the presence of the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, the House Leader, Udo Okoye and other principal officers of government, said that the law aims to checkmate the activities of men of the underworld and protect lives and property of the people.

The law prescribes one year imprisonment without any option of fine for violators.

“The House of Assembly today passed the bill and we have enacted the law which primary goal is the protection of lives and property of our people. This exercise, effectively, bans the use of motorcycles, otherwise known as Okada in Enugu metropolis,” the governor said.

“As a government, we made efforts to streamline the operations of the genuine operators but these efforts, unfortunately, had not been fruitful because crime rate rose and most of the crimes were facilitated by the use of motorcycles by evil-minded persons.

“It got so bad that the law enforcement agencies officially requested the ban of motorcycles because of the menace of the men of the underworld who have been using them to perpetrate crimes. As a responsive and responsible government, we have enacted this law in the best interest of all of us.”

The governor enjoined Enugu residents to embrace other means of transport available in the city.

“In the past few years, government injected over 700 taxi cabs in the metropolis in addition to tens of hundreds by the private sector as well as the Coal City Shuttle and other buses.

“We regret any inconveniences this ban may cause the commuters but it had to be taken in the best interest of all of us. So, we plead with our people to obey the law as we also urge the law enforcement agents to, please, ensure strict enforcement of the law in our overall interest”.