Uduaghan solicits support from federal agencies to enforce ban on motorcycles

By Akpos Oghenetega,

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The Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vincent Uduaghan, has called for a deeper Synergy between the Ministry of Transport and Law enforcement Agencies in the State to checkmate recalcitrant motorcycle (Okada) riders.

Mr Uduaghan stated this in his office in an enlarge meeting comprising the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Edwin Abraka, Management Staff and various law enforcement agencies.

The commissioner stressed that there was an urgent need for the Ministry of Transport and other law enforcement agencies to work as a team to forestall the gradual emergence of motorcycle riders.

He stressed, that the State Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had the interest and safety of Deltans and non Deltans at heart and called for a team spirit in order to dissuade obstinate motorcycle riders.

At the meeting, all the representatives of the law enforcement agencies, including Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police Force as well as Special Road Marshall and the State Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle (keke) Union, Mr Dauda Ismaila, condemned in its entirety the operations of the motorcycle riders in all routes where they were banned.

The Branch Chairman, Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Union, Oshimili South Mr. Dauda Ismaila complained that 80 percent of defaulters of the motorcycle ban were officers of the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCD) and army personnel in the State.

The Director- General (DG), Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) Mr. Stephen Dieseruvwe spoke against disjointed operations and suggested a well coordinated enforcement comprising the law enforcement agencies of Government, while the Police equally canvassed for a combined team made of the Police, FRSC, NSCDC, and the Taskforce etc with budgetary attachment.

In the same vein, the Special Marshall suggested that there was the urgent need to invite local government council chairmen where motorcycle ban was in force to such important meetings, saying they had crucial roles to play in matters of the motorcycle ban in their LGAs.

The representative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) suggested that an identity should be given to security personnel, carrying out their legitimate duties with official motorcycles in order to avoid confrontation with members of the Taskforce on the Ban of motorcycle.

The Permanent Secretary in Directorate of Transport, Mr Edwin Abraka, stated that in addition to the general taskforce operations, the Police should take it as a point of duty to enforce, at any time where there is any case of defaulting by riders.