Gov. Bassey Otu
The Cross River State Government has reiterated the ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as OKADA, in the Calabar Metropolis.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche dated November 11, said, the State Government has noticed the surreptitious return of OKADA operators within the Calabar Metropolis and seriously frowns at this.
The statement said “Law enforcement officers are hereby, directed to arrest such offenders and have their motorbikes impounded, while the operators are prosecuted”.
The State Government urged all OKADA riders “to adhere to this instruction as there are no exceptions to this directive”.
Furthermore, the State Government is alarmed at the activities of vandals and warned that the vandalisation of critical public assets and installations is criminal offence.
To this end, Governor Bassey Otu directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies to checkmate the activities of these vandals and protect critical national and state assets and installations.
Even with the ban, Pillar Today on Sunday observed in the morning hours, large number of OKADA ridders operating along Ekorinim 2 road from First bank to Army jetty while some others plied Essien Town and Spring road in Ekorinim 1.
Peter Effiong, one of the OKADA ridders told Pillar Today that, the ban does not affect them as they operate only in the feeder roads and not in the metropolis.
