The Kwara State Government has revealed that it will soon introduce a single uniform for all commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, operating in the state to check security breaches in the state.
The State’s Commissioner for Works, Suleiman Rotimi, who said this during a strategic meeting with members of the joint Okada riders, stated that the transporters would now pay road tax to the government. It added that the measure was also as a result of the ban on the motorcycles, in some parts of Lagos State.
According to a statement signed by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Works, Hajia Mansura Amuda-Kannike, on Saturday said the commissioner stressed the need for joint Okada riders union to beef up security among their members, noting that government had observed the influx of illegal riders into Ilorin, the state capital.
Rotimi emphasised that the umbrella body of Okada riders in the state would be issued identification cards with bar code and new single uniforms as well as stickers to enhance easy identification and planning.
Rotimi mentioned that as part of strategies to improve security, a census of all joint Okada riders would be conducted and population of registered Okada riders would be ascertained.
“Equally, the commissioner stressed the need for road tax payment and urged the riders to fashion out a realistic amount and mode of collection.” the statement added.
Rotimi assured them of government’s readiness to collaborate with financial institutions to facilitate social investment scheme in form of loan that would further boost the transport business in the state.
Responding, the President of joint Okada Union, Mr Ajewole Gabriel, thanked the commissioner for the warm reception accorded them and expressed the union’s readiness to abide by the single uniform, road tax payment.
Ajewole urged the ministry to check the influx of illegal Okada operators in Tanke Oke-Odo and other areas to forestall security breaches in the state.
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