The National Road Safety Authority, Acting Director General of Lawyer Abraham Amaliba, has reiterated the government’s commitment to the legalization and commercialization of motorcycle transport, popularly known as “Okada.”
Speaking on the subject, he outlined several measures that will be put in place to curb criminal activities associated with Okada operations once they are legalized.
According to Mr. Amaliba, criminality among Okada riders will be effectively tackled through a comprehensive registration and tracking system.
He emphasized that a national database will be created to register all Okada riders and owners, ensuring proper identification.
He noted that, in most cases, the riders are not the actual owners of the motorcycles and by registering both parties, law enforcement agencies can easily trace individuals involved in illegal activities.
“We have a database of all Okada riders and the owners of the vehicles. Most of the time, the riders are not the owners, so it is easy to track them if we also register the owners. If you engage in any criminal act, authorities will have the necessary information to hold you accountable,” Mr. Amaliba explained.
Mr. Amaliba revealed that speed limiters will be installed on motorcycles to prevent excessive speeding, a major cause of road accidents.
Furthermore, tracking devices will be placed on all Okada bikes, allowing authorities to monitor their movements in real time.
“There will be gadgets installed in their motors that will control their speed limits. Additionally, each motorbike will have a tracker. So, wherever your bike goes, a computer will be monitoring its movements. This way, the fear that Okada riders could be involved in kidnappings and other criminal activities will be significantly reduced,” he assured.
The Director General also highlighted the role of cooperatives in ensuring discipline and professionalism among riders.
He stated that once Okada operations are legalized, cooperatives will be formed to regulate the sector and enforce standards.
Mr. Amaliba expressed confidence that Okada transport will become a safer and more reliable means of transportation, eliminating the negative perception associated with it.
The National Road Safety Authority, Acting Director, Lawyer Abraham Amaliba noted that the legalization and regulation of Okada, will not only enhance road safety but also create employment opportunities for many young people across the country.
Story by Freedom Lavoe
