Dealers of motorcycle spare parts in Nnewi, Anambra state have lamented over the setback their business would suffer as a result of the ban on the activities of commercial motorcycle operators in the state.
The traders also begged Governor Willie Obiano to rescind his ban on Okada riders in the state which comes into force on July 1 as had been previously announced by the state government.
The traders begged the governor to revoke the decision in the interest of all, saying that the ban would also stifle businesses in the state, and cause a loll in economic activities.
President of Fairly Used Motorcycle Dealers Association in Nnewi, Mr Eloka Ubajiekwu, who stated this at a press briefing, said, “There will be serious hunger, diseases and even death of many people over the ban of Okada at this time of harsh economy.
“The governor should device means to fight crimes emanating from Okada riders in Onitsha and Awka instead of banning their operation completely.”
While acknowledging that some criminals used motorcycle operators to rob people at gunpoint, he said the solution in the circumstance was not outright ban of the transport system.
Ubajiekwu said, “Criminals also use Sport Utility Vehicles, taxi cabs and buses to rob people at gunpoint but nobody has ever thought of banning such vehicles.
“A lot of people are fending for themselves and their families with Okada. An Okada rider is taking care of a minimum of five to seven persons daily, feeding them and paying children school fees.
“Motorcycle traders are earning their living from the business; likewise mechanics, vulcanizers and allied workers. By banning Okada transport, they are all in a big trouble because they have lost their jobs.”
He added: “Onitsha and Awka and other places in Anambra are quite different from Owerri, Benin and Enugu where such bans had been effected because the people of those states are not major dealers in motorcycles.
“We can comfortably say that there are no well known motorcycle dealers in those places, but here in Nnewi, we are too many to mention and even though the Okada ban was not extended to Nnewi, it will affect us badly because Onitsha and Awka are our major base.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of New Auto Spare Parts Association, Uche Ezechukwu warned that over 20,000 people would become jobless if the order was not rescinded.
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