Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has commissioned 300 “Comrade Cabs” to cushion the effects of the ban of commercial motorcycle in the State capital.

The cabs were purchased after an arrangement between the Edo State government and a bank. This will enable erstwhile motorcycle operators purchase the cabs with a payment plan of over three years.

Speaking at the commissioning, the governor said his most difficult decision as governor was banning the use of commercial motorcycles in the state capital.

He said: “I found myself taking a tough decision after repeatedly assuring Okada riders that Okada will not be banned in this state and when I said that, I meant it. Indeed, after my second tenure elections, I renewed that assurance and I know you were really shocked that after reassuring you repeatedly, you woke up one day to hear that the same comrade had decided to prohibit Okada and to give you a very short notice that was less than one week.

“That was a tough moment for me because I believe that as we say, those of us who are Christians say that there are moments of temptation. There are things in government that you are never able to disclose even as you are committed to accountability and transparency.

“When it became clear we had overwhelming majority of you honest, hardworking genuine Okada workers, labouring everyday to earn a living, we also found out that some criminals from some other states had infiltrated your ranks and in no time became even more in numbers. It was clear that many of the Okada riders didn’t know anywhere in Benin City, and clearly they were here for different reasons.”

He further declared: “The challenge for the decision maker is to see how you distinguish the genuine operatives from the criminals. That was a process that was physically impossible. I found myself having to say to you eyeball to eyeball, you no longer can drive commercial bikes in the city of Benin.”

After the commissioning, the Governor literally turned a taxi driver as he drove round Benin City, the state capital, picking passengers and dropping them at their destinations. Commercial motorcycle operators were banned in Benin City in June last year following security reports.