Okada ban, a painful decision – Edo

[Punch]

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, on Wednesday said the state government's decision to ban the activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada, in parts of the state remained the most painful decision of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led government.

The ban on commercial motorcyclists' activities around the metropolis, which took effect from Monday, was announced in a televised broadcast by Oshiomhole, shortly after the state  Security Council meeting, last week Tuesday.

Speaking in the state capital, Benin, Odubu said though contemplated a long time ago,  the decision to ban the use of okada and tricycles as means of public transportation in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local councils was a difficult one.

He said, "It was a very painful decision for Mr. Governor. The clamour had been on for quite some time now, but with recent happenings in some other states of the federation, where okadas were banned, the effect of those happenings was now beginning to be felt here in Edo State. The influx of those persons into Edo State increased crime and criminality."

The Punch