Amos KaluLeaders and members of the trail blazing Association, Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter has urged Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to urgently revert the proposed date of July 1st given to commercial motorcyclists in some of the major cities (Awka and Onitsha) in the state to stop operating.
The Chairman of OMPAN Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Mike Nwachukuwu during the general meeting of the Association on Sunday 24th June, 2018 said it is in the best interest of Ndi Anambra both home and abroad that enough time be given to the okada people, as this is the source of livelihood for many them.
He equally stated that most of them could not afford the N100,000 Which the state government slated for the leasing of the mini shuttle and requested they been given from now till December 31st in order to save up money especially now the country is experiencing economic downturn.
However; Comrade Nwachukwu led his team to an Okada park in GRA, Onitsha metropolis where the entire OMPAN team interacted with some of the motorcycle operators.
Speaking to OMPAN, Mr Innocent Amudu, a motorcyclist in Onitsha lamented on the July 1 deadline saying that the notice was too short for them as he is a family man with five children and the Okada business is the only source of his livelihood.
Another motorcyclist , Mr Onyekachi Eze noted that the N100,000 bus scheme by the state government is a good development but 90% of Okada people cannot even afford that amount and to get a civil servant worker to surety him has been a problem.
Mr Eze who said he worked as a polling agent officer during the November 18th general election urged Gov. Obiano to extend the time to December 31 to give them time to save up enough money.
Also speaking to OMPAN, the Chairman of the Okada Association GRA branch, Mr Chima John appreciated OMPAN for the visit while explaining that the decision of the government might not improve security.
According to him, most of the Commercial cyclists are law abiding citizens who went into Okada business to support their various families.
He explained that he has used the business to train his children in school, help his aged mother and train his six (6) children.
He further requested the government to give them enough time to plan out new business model to venture in.
Meanwhile, OMPAN members took turns in interviewing them and some passerby who make use of motorcycle for their daily activities.
OMPAN Anambra State Chapter promise to keep the general public updated on event concerning the ban as we believe that the government will reconsider her decision.
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