FRSC proposes nationwide ban on motorcycle (Okada) to reduce road accidents
The Federal Road Safety Corps has proposed a nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as “okada” to reduce road accidents.
FRSC has blamed an increase in road accidents on the careless operation of motorcycle riders.
As part of the October Road Traffic Crash Report 2016, submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by the Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, motorcycles was deemed a major cause of fatal road traffic accidents across the country.
Statistics show that 230 cases or 18 per cent of a total of 1,259 vehicles involved in accidents within the month were commercial motorcycles.
Motorcycle accidents ranked third after cars which accounted for 457 cases or 36 per cent, followed by minibuses with 243 or 19 per cent of the total.
“Following the outcome of the analysis, it could be concluded that motorcycle still constitutes serious menace on the nation’s highways,” Oyeyemi said.
“Accordingly, improved results could be achieved in the future, if more state governments could consider placing a ban on the use of motorcycle for commercial purposes.
“In view of the above, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should facilitate and encourage state governments to ban the use of motorcycle for commercial purposes.”
Okada riders have also been linked to the operations of armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals in several parts of the country.
There has been a public outcry against the ban on motorcycles (Okada) in several states across the nation, particularly Lagos and Anambra, by operators and users.
Many faulted the government on non-provision of alternative jobs before declaring the ban.
