The Enugu State Government is to set up a Task Force that will enforce the law prohibiting commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) from operating in some designated roads in the state capital.
The Task Force, which will be phased out as soon as the State Traffic Agency must have been established, will compliment the efforts of the law enforcement agents in enforcing the prohibition order.
Briefing the Press at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting in Enugu, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke said that the council used the occasion to renew its appeal to the motorcycle operators to comply with the law in their own interest.
Mr. Ugwoke who was accompanied by his Transport counterpart, Dan Anike, the SPA on ICT, Okechukwu Igbonekwu and that of Diaspora Matters, Professor Ike Mba said that the prohibition order became necessary to decongest the streets, reduce road accident and crime by some o the bike operators.
The Commissioner noted with regret that activities of commercial motorcycle operators in the state are disorderly, encourage crimes and pose danger to lives and property, adding that there will be no exception (police or military or paramilitary) in the enforcement of the law.
He however explained that private motorcycle operators have been advised to dress and kit very well and be ready to identity themselves with a proof if they must operate on the barred routes.
According to him, the roads prohibited for their operations included Ogui road, Presidential road, Chime Avenue, Independence Avenue, Okpara Avenue and Garden Avenue, Abakaliki road, Rangers Avenue, Market road and Ozubulu Street.
Others are Achi Street, Agbani road, Okpara Square, Salvage Crescent extension, Old Onitsha, New Market road, O’Connor street, Agric Bank road, Zik Avenue and Tunnel crossing as well as all express way within the city.
Mr. Ugwoke stated that government did not ban commercial motorcycle from operating in the state but directed that they should keep of from the designated routes.
In his contribution, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Dan Anike stated that the prohibition order had been in existence as contained in the National Traffic Law as adopted in the state under Cap 137 Enugu State Law of 2004.
Mr. Anike said that his Ministry had held meetings with relevant stakeholders on the enforcement of the law, adding that arrangement had been completed to set up traffic court to try offenders of the law in the state.
Also the council approved to send Executive Memo to the State House of Assembly for a bill to amend the State Water Corporation Law of 2004 for their consideration and possible passage.
According to him, the Bill if passed into law will empower the Corporation to issue and renew licenses for sinking and using of water boreholes and also prescribe fees for domestic and commercial water works.
