Okada Ban: Delta Gov’t Begins Strict Enforcement

…As Latimore Urges Transporters To Invest In Electric, CNG Powered Commercial Vehicles

Operators of commercial motor cycle, otherwise known as Okada riders, have been advised to stay away from the affected eight local government areas where the ban is in force, so as to avoid arrest and criminal prosecution.

The Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation and Communication Bureau, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe gave the advise at different media engagements on Thursday, saying that law enforcement agents were given marching orders to immediately commence enforcement in compliance with relevant provisions of the Delta State Road Traffic (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, which was recently signed into Law by the State governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

He named; Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Ika North East, Ika South, Ethiope East, Sapele, Uvwie and Warri South as local government areas affected by the recent ban on Okada as means of commercial transportation, adding that several Okada riders have been arrested for criminal prosecution, while their motor bikes impounded and to be rendered as exhibits.

As measures to cushion the effects of the ban, Oghenesivbe disclosed that the state government will continue to invest heavily in road infrastructure, so as to connect more rural communities, towns and villages to urban cities which would enable commercial buses and tricycles to convey passengers, goods and services to multifaceted destinations.

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Oghenesivbe called on transporters and investors to take advantage of the ban on Okada in some parts of the state by investing heavily in electric and compressed natural gas powered vehicles for commercial transportation, while Okada riders affected by the regulation should pull resources together to procure tricycles and share profit daily, weekly or monthly basis.

He further disclosed that activities of scavengers, otherwise known as Iron Condemn, has been outlawed in all 25 local government areas in accordance with traffic regulation in force in Delta State, underscoring governor Oborevwori’s unwavering determination to keep Delta safe and investors friendly from time to time.

“The ban on Okada commercial motorcycles in eight local government areas; Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ethiope East, Sapele, Uvwie and Warri is real. It is to protect life and property in the state as a result of multifaceted criminal activities traced to majority of Okada riders in the state.

“Law enforcement agents are everywhere enforcing the ban on Okada in the affected eight local government areas. It is strongly advised that Okada riders should stay away from those areas.

“The taskforce and mobile Courts shall do the needful to ensure that offenders are brought to justice. Sanctions is either imprisonment or fine or both,” Oghenesivbe added.