5th July, 2011
Rivers State Government has directed the Ministry of Transport to implement the law banning the use of commercial motorcycle popularly called “Okada†and Tricycle also known as Keke-Napep in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and its environs.
The directive to enforce the ban was a resolution reached today at the first Inter-Governmental meeting of the state under Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s second tenure in office.
Briefing Government House correspondents shortly after the meeting in Port Harcourt, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said the decision followed cases of some individuals operating bikes that have been banned in the state.
She explained that the forum, which was presided over by the governor of the state, consequently ordered the Ministry of Transport to strictly enforce the ban immediately in performance of its duties.
The commissioner said the state government appreciates the transport challenges prevalent in the state but emphasised that the security and health challenges posed by the operation of these mode of transportation are greater.
Mrs Semenitari therefore appealed to the operators of motorcycles in the state to restrict themselves to the rural communities or risk being impounded and the owners prosecuted.