• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Insecurity: Ogun begins registration of Okada riders, others

Okada riders

As part of strategies to check prevalent insecurity and ensure safety of lives and property, the Ogun government is registering motorcycle (Okada) riders and taxi drivers operating in the state.

The registration became imperative for easy identification of operators. Already, the state ministry of transportation is putting measures in place to better coordinate, oversee and monitor activities and operations of all Okada riders and taxi drivers in the state.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Monday after a security meeting with the commercial transport operators, motor traffic and security agencies, Gbenga Dairo, the commissioner for transportation, said the state government was coming up with the idea to register commercial transport operators in the state to curb all forms of crimes in the state.

“As the worrisome tales of kidnapping and other violent crimes with demonstrable links to Okada riders continue to pervade the country, the state government, in agreement with other stakeholders in the transport sector, have concluded plans to register, co-ordinate, oversee and monitor the activities and operations of motorcycle taxi operators in the state as part of our efforts to ensure security, sanity and safety in the transportation sector.

“All stakeholders have embraced the initiatives and unions representatives of operators are committed to facilitating and accelerating commencement and completion of the exercise inclusive of issuance of identification documents and ensuring compliance with vehicle registration protocols.”

Dairo said that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun remains committed to the security and safety of lives and property.

State chairman of ACOMORAN, Kayode Showunmi, said the unions had agreed with the government’s initiative to rid the state of crimes and criminality, assuring that the registration of members will commence, with all hands on deck to ensure peace in the state.

He advised commercial motorcycle operators to be observant and security-conscious while they go about their duties and shun all acts of violence.