NIGER STATE: No Okada Riders In Minna From Jan.2, 2014 - Governor

Niger State - Minna-based operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, must stop their activities from January 2, 2014. This enforcement of the traffic law in the state was ordered by Governor Babangida Aliyu.

According to a statement by Mr. Danladi Ndayebo, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, "adequate arrangements have been made to cushion" the possible impacts of the ban.

Mr. Ndayebo assured motorcycle operators would not be out of jobs, as tricycles would be distributed to them by the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).

The Niger State Ministry of Transportation has now, according to the statement, "taken full delivery of 1000 units of Mahindra Tricycles (KEKEN TALBA), in addition to 8 units of 18-seater buses and 12 units of 100 capacity Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses that have already been put on the roads to ease transportation problems in the state capital."