The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has appealed to States and Local Government to stop the banning of motorcycles and tricycles, as they serve as primary means of transportation to many communities across the Country.
Amaechi made the remark at the inauguration of the State Secretariat of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Ogun State chapter.
The Minister, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Mass Transit Administration in the Ministry, Foluke Oni, said the means (motorcycles and tricycles), should be integrated into the Country’s transportation system rather than being banned.
“Tricycles and motorcycles are important in the area of provision of essential and easy to reach transportation all over the country.
“There is need for states and local governments to integrate these tricycles and motorcycles operations into their mode of transportation and should begin to think more on how to enhance their operations rather than thinking of phasing them out.”
He also argued that tricycles and motorcycles are important in providing easy to transport all over the Country.
The Minister further noted that just in the like developed Countries, Nigeria should ensure that her citizens have the opportunity to choose the form of transportation that is suitable for them.
In January, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), recommended the Federal Government, to ban motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’, to reduce accidents on roads.
The recommendation, made by Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, said motorcycles remain a major cause of road accidents across the Country, which calls the need for State Governments to ban them from operating.
Later in March, the Minister of Transportation calmed nerves when he announced that the Government has no plant to ban Okada or Keke (tricycles) as a means of transportation in the Country.
He, therefore, stated that Government would liaise with the FRSC to ensure proper training of riders at the State and Local levels.
Although the Federal Government stated that it has no plan to ban Okada or Keke, some States have already placed ban on those means of transportation in various cities and highways.
Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Delta, and Edo are among several States that banned motorcycles and tricycles in their capitals and major roads.
