CONFLICTING REPORTS TRAIL CONTINUED CURFEW ON MOTORCYCLES IN NNEWI

CONFLICTING REPORTS TRAIL CONTINUED CURFEW ON MOTORCYCLES IN NNEWI

Conflicting reports have continued to trail the restrictions of commercial motorcycles in Nnewi in the night hours.

As part of the security measures towards checkmating the activities of hoodlums in Anambra State, the state government on March 4th, 2018, banned the use of commercial motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’ after 7pm across the State. Okada riders were only allowed to operate within the hours of 6am to 7pm.

However, since the ban which appears not to be effective have continued to attract different reaction especially on it’s enforcement.

In an interview with the Deputy Chairman of Motorcycle Trade Union Nnewi, Ubaka Nwafor, with Anaedoonline reporter, the Deputy Chairman of the union said that the restrictions of commercial motorcycles in Nnewi is still in place. Despite agreeing that the enforcement is not total, he however admitted that most of their members still pay heavily when caught by the police.

Speaking on the enforcement he said, this law restricting Okada riders from beyond 7pm in Anambra State was passed by Anambra State House of Assembly during the administration of Governor Peter Obi, though we never took it serious but after some of our members were arrested and taken to court, that was when we knew that the Government is indeed serious with the enforcement. However, because of the unpopular nature of that law, the implementation has remained a difficult one. The police sometimes arrest our members who are seen on the road beyond the stipulated time but our members are always being left when they give the police some money.

Asked if the Law was in the interest of the public, he said, “I entirely understand the fears being expressed by the State Government as it concerns the crime being perpetrated with motorcycle especially in the night, but here in Nnewi, we have a system in place to checkmate crime related issues when perpetrated by our members, we are organized, we have an office with different department for proper administration, every Okada rider in Nnewi is registered with us, we have every details about them, both the place of origin, place of residence, Name, Phone Numbers and other necessary details. Every Okada rider in Nnewi is also registered with a particular unit and route, therefore, none of them can commit a crime and without being traced.

He however advised the state government especially members of the incoming Anambra State House of Assembly to review the law and possibly lift the restriction.

Speaking to one of the Commercial Motorcyclist on how the enforcement have affected him, Jonah who hails from Adamawa State said, “I don’t think the enforcement is still operational, I know that I ride my Motorcycle till 9pm without any disturbances, though around 10pm, local vigilante do disturb us, but for the law, it is not operational”.

Another Motorcyclist who spoke to our reporter but pleaded anonymity said that he was aware of the law but due to ineffective enforcement, they law is not operational.