Obiano’s Ban On Okada Operators Not Intended To Escalate Crime, Joblessness 

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

Former Director of Child Development in the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Sir Emeka Edward Ejide has said that it would be premature and too early to pass a vote of no confidence on Governor Willie Obiano’s second term of office.

Ejide who extolled the governor’s empowerment initiative for commercial motorcycle operators in the state through the provision of shuttle buses in replacement for their bikes, noted that the state government was on course with its welfarist programmes for the citizenry.

The child development expert who currently functions as a consultant on gender issues, told journalists in Awka that government’s decision to restrict Okada riders from operating in the capital city and Onitsha respectively was not intended to escalate crime and joblessness but to rid the environment off disgruntled elements who use motorcycles to rob unsuspecting citizens.

He therefore commended the governor’s innovativeness saying that the provision of the shuttle buses was an alternative development strategy to further enliven as well as enhance the living conditions of the people.

Although he pointed out that the buses might not be enough to accommodate the number of Okada riders in Awka and Onitsha, he suggested that the state governor should diversify the empowerment process such that those who didn’t get shuttle buses, could also venture into small scale businesses.

Ejide also observed that there seemed to be dearth of mechanics in the state and that there was a dire need for the establishment  of a mechanic village where they could maximise business opportunities adding that loans could also be granted to people who could do speculative business.

According to him, government should have a supplementary plan to empower non-benefiaries of the shuttle buses that would be donated by the state government.

The child development expert noted that every administration had parameters of assessment,  stressing that work plans were being developed to attend to the needs of the vulnerable.