The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, seems to have reinvigorated its policy on the restriction on the activities of commercial motorcycles commonly known as okada, as the administration has in recent times been all out to stop their operations in the territory.
Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Abdullahi Candido, had in November announced the administration’s decision to commence an “on the spot confiscation and crushing of motorcycles” found in restricted areas.
The secretary argued that the exercise will not only rid the city of the menace of commercial motorcyclists, but also serve as deterrent to lawless citizens wishing to test the will of the government.
Candido, while flagging off the exercise in Durumi, said the exercise will be continuous until prohibited motorcycles are completely flushed out.
“The FCTA will now be more determined than before, because of the security and maintenance of the plan of the city, so we can have good city that all Nigerians will be proud of.
“This is a developing city that is guided by planned policies of government, which we must not allow any lawless person to set backward.
“On behalf of the FCTA, let me echo that we will never watch people who do not have respect for the law to overhaul the good citizens who want things going in a decent manner.”
The enforcement team has confiscated and crushed over 565 motorbikes since the exercise began about a month ago. The figure consists of the 200 bikes that were crushed on the first day of the exercise and another 365 crushed by the team on November 23.
This is in addition to the 3, 200 others that were earlier crushed by the FCT Administration between March and November this year.
On March 20, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, shunned public outcry and went ahead to crush 1,500 motorcycles after the initial 1, 500 bikes that were crushed in December of the previous year.
The VIO again in July 2022, crushed another 1, 700 motorcycles.
The secretary had in July, while inspecting transport facilities across the territory, hinted that the FCT Administration was considering a total ban in the FCT.
He, however, assured that such policy will be carefully implemented so as not to over burden the residents. “Of course, a total pronouncement of ban on commercial motorcycle is in the offing so that we can have a better city. But it is going to be approached with all sense of responsibility so that nobody feels any pinch”.
Similarly, the DRTS Director, Abdullateef Bello, had at the same occasion in July revealed that the administration was working towards the commencement of enforcement regulations on dispatch riders come January 2023, as dispatch riders were also becoming a security challenge in the FCT.
The renewed campaign against motorcycles may not be unconnected to the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello’s, concern over the attitude of motorcycle operators who flagrantly abuse traffic rules and incessantly drive against traffic.
Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, described the new policy of impounding and immediately crushing bikes as a signature project initiated to serve as deterrent to recklessness riders who continued to violate the restrictions with serious arrogance with reports of Okada riders committing violent attacks and crimes in the city.
He insisted that the operation backed by the FCTA Security Committee cannot be said to be high handedness, “Because since 2006 when the ban started, the impounded bikes hardly get back to them. The minister has given us a marching order to impound and crush in the full glare of everybody to avoid the allegation that the bikes were seized and given to somebody else.”
There is no doubt that commercial motorcycles remain the major means of transport in most cities in Nigeria and unfortunately, Abuja is not exempted despite it being the nation’s capital with its vantage position over most states.
From satellite towns like Kubwa, to the city center in Durumi, the presence of rickety motorcycles are regular sights across the territory, constituting nuisance and security threats.
Little wonder the Nasir El’Rufai’s administration in 2006, restricted the activities of commercial motorcycles to satellite towns and rural areas of the FCT.
However, 16 years down the line, okadas have found their way back, only this time with much vigour and disregard for traffic rules and regulations.
While the decision to rid the city of commercial motorcycles is commendable, the FCT Administration must realise that such enforcement can only be totally achieved when alternative means of transportation are provided.
Public transportation in the FCT is almost non-existent, with private individuals substituting the huge gap. High-capacity buses, monorail, and other mass means of conveying passengers are not available and so government gradually losing its rights to regulate the sector.
Little wonder many have continued to criticise the policy of seizing and crushing motorcycles and taking thousands out of jobs. They arguing that the motorcycles should have been converted to other use instead of destroying them.
The administration must realise that outrage over the crushing exercise could heighten the rate of insecurity in the FCT as hundreds of the motorcycle riders would have lost their means of livelihood.
While the recklessness of okada riders is worrisome, the FCTA could look at other ways of penalising offenders while generating revenue for itself.
For instance, the administration can begin by ensuring that all commercial motorcycles are duly registered. It can then input all the details of the motorcycles, riders, sureties, contacts in its data base and install trackers on the motorcycles so that anyone who violates operational guidelines or operate outside approved areas can be tracked and appropriate sanction imposed on them.
Another option the FCTA could consider is to auction the bikes to raise funds into government coffers by selling them to delivery companies to be used as dispatch bikes.
