AS the ban on commercial motorcyclists in Awka and Onitsha metropolis commences today, over two hundred affected Okada riders have applied to Anambra Small Business Agency for the State Government Shuttle buses initiative.
While some are trying to access the empowerment scheme some others are seeking other means of lively hood.
This was the reactions of some operators in Awka the capital city of the state and Onitsha during an interview with TribuneOnline on the development.
During the interview, our correspondent observed that most of the motorcyclists have not completed their registrations as some were without driving license which is one of the major requirements for the shuttle bus empowerment.
In their separate responses, some of the riders who are Anambra indigenes, Mr Emmanuel Onuorah, and Mr Jeremiah Ozughah said though they were not against the ban, they were yet to find an alternative means of income as they have not completed registrations for the State Government shuttle bus interventions.
Other cyclists who are from neighbouring Ebonyi and Enugu states, Messrs Anthony Obasi, Dominic Nweke, and Ozoemenam Elom noted that the process of the bus distribution is still ongoing.
Also speaking, another motorcyclist who operates in Onitsha metropolis, Mr God’swill Onoleh, called for objectivity and fairness in the distribution of the shuttle buses to ensure that people who have been in Okada business and are affected by the ban, are considered first before other interested individuals so that no motorcyclists will be left unempowered in order not to undermine the goodwill of Governor Willie Obiano.
Reacting to the issue, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Small Business Agency, ASBA, Mr Clement Chukwuka disclosed that out of two hundred persons that have applied for the empowerment so far, about ten have qualified as others could not yet provide their driving license or meet up with other requirements which are prerequisites for the empowerment.
Mr Chukwuka said that as part of its commitment to ensuring that the empowerment is fairly handled, the agency is collaborating with Okada Unions and the Ministry of Road, Rail and Water Transportation, and called on the motorcyclists that are still reluctant to the initiative to do the needful in order to be among the beneficiaries of the scheme.
He advised members of the public to desist from patronizing commercial motorcycle operators on restricted routes as anyone arrested will be prosecuted in accordance with the Law.
On her part, an Awka resident, Mrs Joy Chukwuemeka, described the initiative as a welcome development as it will help in reducing crime and criminalities in the state, as according to her, most of the crimes are committed with Motorcycle as it is the fastest means of escape for criminals.
Also in reaction on the ban, the State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party SDP, Sir. Vincent Obi, who commended the decision of the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, said if the law will have an effect, there must be a synergy between all security agencies of government in order to collectively fight the menace of these motorcycle operators on all restricted routes in the state.
With this law, the series of complaints from members of the public on snatching of bags, phones, wallets, jewellery and other criminal activities perpetrated by some of these motorcycle operators would reduce for good, he added.
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