Okada Ban Can't Stop Crime - Market Leader

Okada ban and Gov. Obiano

By Alphonsus Nweze,
As the July1, 2018 deadline for the ban of Okada to take effect draws close,  Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has been urged to reconsider his decision to ban Okada in  Onitsha.

The chairman of  Ogbaru Plastic Dealers in  Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State who made the  plea in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha said contrary to the perception of many that the ban on Okada will reduce crime,  it will not bring down crime as expected.

He said ban on Okada in Onitsha will no doubt affect the business in the commercial city especially his market because they use Okada riders to waybill their goods.



"My market mainly use Okada to waybill our goods . They take them to most of the parks in Onitsha. And the ban of Okada will not stop crime in the State. Kano the second largest city in the  country still operates  Okada.

The State Government should laise  with the Police to  set up effective vigilant groups. If they decide to  stop crime they can do it. Give them incentives, they will stop crime".

The Market leader said the ban on Okada will also create more unemployment in the State and increase crime, appealing to  the State Government to find another ingenious way of reducing crime in the State.

But he however said that  if the Governor insists they  have no option than to  ban Okada to check crime, we have no other option than to support him,  stressing that the most important thing is for all to support the Governor to succeed in the governance of the State.

He lauded Governor Obiano for the decongestion of streets and markets in the State as well as clearing of drainages, saying that the measure will ease vehicular and human movement  in the markets and help control flood.

The Anambra State Government had  announced that from July 1, 2018 commercial motor bikes will cease to operate in Onitsha North, South, Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government, Nkpor, Obosi in Idemili North and Oba in Idemili South and all the Express Road in the State.

And Governor Obiano last week reinforced the order, saying that there was  no going back on the directive.