Invest In Other modes of transportation in Abuja Not Okada, Candido tells investors
By: Wisdom Acka
Amidst growing concern over security threats as a result of the activities of motorcycles operators, popularly known as Okada, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA),has urged investors to invest more in other modes of transportation rather than Okada.
The Administration said, those importing and trading, as well as Commercial cyclists can still make profit by investing in other modes of transportation that does not constitute security threats to the society.
Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abdullahi Adamu Candido, gave this advice yesterday while inspecting transportation facilities in Abuja.
Candido, who spoke against the backdrop of serious security concerns arising from the activities of Okada, said motorcyclists continued to pose threat to the peace and order in the Territory.
“Like I said, we would discourage people from using their hard earned money in purchase of motorcycles. There shouldn’t be any reason to buy Okada, we will discourage people from investing in okada. When you buy Okada and nobody is taking it from you, then they will stop buying”, he advised.
According to the Secretary, the FCTA was considering to start conducting drug test on drivers to ensure that only those who were mentally and psychologically sound were permitted to ply Abuja roads.
He also expressed desire of the FCT Administration to takeover the running of its Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centres from the technical partners; insisting that all vehicles on Abuja roads must be roadworthy.
“We intend to get permission of the FCTA to take holistic role of its usage, because citizens must live a life. We will not like a life to be lost as a result of someone’s carelessness,” he emphasized.
“We are trying to ensure that drug test is considered by the authorities for all road users, especially for commercial road users, for vehicles, tricycle and okada,” Candido added.
His words: “We will not wait untill lives are endlessly lost before we take action. So we are taking action in order to ensure the city is safe for the citizens”.
Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abdullateef Bello, who conducted the Secretary on the inspection tour revealed that over 1000 confiscated motorcycles would be crushed.
Bello, however, stated that all necessary legal instruments would be done and the number of the motorcycles gazetted before finally crushing them.
He also stated that the Administration was working towards January 2023 for the commencement of enforcement of regulations on dispatch riders, regretting that, like okada, dispatch riders were also becoming a security challenge.
