Okada ban extends to Enugu

Enugu State Government says it will soon be sanctioning motorcycle riders found within Enugu metropolis.

Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Transport, Chief Ogbonna Idike, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the law banning motorcycle riding within the metropolis was still in operation.

Idike said that the ministry would take decisive action against violators, as enshrined in the law banning motorcycle riding with the state capital.

NAN recalls that the state government had, on July 3, signed a law banning motorcycle riding in the three council areas that make up Enugu metropolis: Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East.

NAN also reports that the ban was aimed at stemming the security challenge posed by motorcycle operators within the state capital.

The ban was also to check the growing build-up of traffic on most roads in the metropolis due to vehicular accidents caused by reckless and dangerous riding of motorcycles.

Idike said that the ministry had been monitoring the trend of sighting one or two motorcycles on the road in the metropolis and would soon put a stop to it.

“We have observed the trend of spotting one or two motorcycles on the roads recently.

“The ministry conducted investigations and found out that it was usually the personnel of military and para-military agencies who recently flouted this age-long law banning of motorcycles within the metropolis.

“The ministry has officially written to the various commands and formations of the military and para-military outfits within the state on the need for them to caution their personnel.

“However, very soon we will start arresting such riders and impounding their motorcycles indefinitely, as stipulated by the law,” he said.

NAN reports that the law prescribes one year imprisonment, without option of fine, for violators.