अ डे आफ्टर OKADA

GOVERNOR AMAECHI: WHERE ARE THE TAXIS ANDBUSES?

A ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles in Port Harcourt City and it’s environ came into effect on January 1, 2009. This is a new year and old things including commercial motorcycle operation, popularly known as Okada, have passed away. The Rivers State Government at various fora had explained that the ban on okada is in the public interest and since government is suppose to serve the public and work for the betterment of the welfare of members of the public; they are right because they know better than us, ordinary citizens.

Some of the explanations government gave were that most of the crimes committed in the city were done by criminals masquerading as okada riders. In fact, every okada rider was suspected or potential criminal. Okada riders were said to have aided and abetted crime in the city and even entire state. The argument is that motorcycles serve as better get-a-away vehicles for criminals to escape from crime scene before law enforcement agents can get there. Another issue was that the rampant vehicular accidents on the streets and highways of Port Harcourt were caused by these “irresponsible” okada riders.

On a lighter note, some people have reasoned that the ban is to clear the road for elected and appointed public officials who have acquired wonder- on- wheels vehicles to have a smooth ride whenever they are cruising the streets of the city. The wonder vehicles of our honourables are reported to have been bruised been okada riders and the okada in solidarity always threatened to burn such vehicles and may be kill the occupants. It is easy for an assassin operating on a motor bike to level up with a politician at a junction or traffic jam and released some hot metals that may sent are politicians to early graves.; and disappeared. Our politicians must do everything to guarantee their safety and comfort, even if it means sacrificing the interest and welfare of the masses.

Since those in government have the welfare of the people in their hearts, do you doubt them? Your welfare is why they sacrifice their comfort to serve you. Your comfort, welfare and safety are their concern. They know what the best is for you; these were the reasons some even rigged elections, killed and maimed just to serve you. You see how important you are to them? How the much the care for you and the price they paid to serve you? We, Nigerians must learn to be grateful and appreciative of our politicians. But my worry is that the government did not make adequate provision to take care of the transportation challenges that have arose as a result of the okada ban.

Since those in government seem to know better than us, we are surprised that the Rivers State government did not make adequate transportation arrangement to cushion the effect of the Okada ban. Residents of Port Harcourt woke up on January 1 to faced there reality that the okada ban has come to stay. Many thought the government was playing but the okada people knew better as many of them who were non indigenes started leaving the state in their numbers: they left with their motor bikes and other property while some only relocated their okada to nearby states that are still tolerating the nuisance called okada riders.

The true situation on the streets of Port Harcourt is that commuters are suffering. Residents of the city who live off bus or taxi routes now resort to long distance trekking to their offices, business places or the nearest bus stop or taxi routes. The result is that workers who companies do not have staff bus or who do not own cars no go to work late and in most cases when they get to their places of work the are tired but they must be in office to fulfill all righteousness.

In Port Harcourt very few roads and streets enjoy bus and taxi services the rest used to depend on okada. Now most workers and business men who have no cars and hitherto were depending on okada have resorted to hiring taxi for their movement. The taxi drivers are also cashing on the situation and they now prefer to go on charter than carry four passengers who would drop along the routes and the drivers have to seek for another passenger. But the question is how many civil servants in Rivers state can afford to be using “a drop” to work daily? Yes, there are buses for civil servants but most of the civil servants are leaving far away from the points where these buses pick and drop.

I used to hold this impression that the Rivers State Governor Chubike Amaechi has empathy for the less privileged but the ban on okada without a reliable alternative have shook my trust in that Amaechi would defend the interest of the ordinary man anytime, anyway and any day. Before the effective date of the ban there should have been adequate provision of taxis and buses to cover all nooks and crannies of the state capital. But it seems that except for a few taxi and buses provided through a Public Private Partnership between the state and one of the banks there was no other concrete arrangement.

It was few days to the effective date of the ban that the state Deputy Governor, Engr, Tele Ikuru asked okada riders who are indigenes of the state to approach one of the banks in the state to access a loan facility that would enable them get taxi and use for commercial purpose and repay the bank. This is an after thought, the government would have taken a census of indigenes involved in the business and give them those taxis with guarantors. But the fear now is that the real indigenous okada riders may not benefit from the loan rather party faithfuls would enjoy what is meant to check the economic dislocation arising from the ban and the consequent unemployment. But the prevailing sentiment in the state was that the okada business was dominated by no indigenes and they should go home.

One would suggest that government should acquire sufficient buses and taxis to complement the private ones in the state capital. These government buses should not go for charter and they should be assigned to routes which they must adhere to. The Minitries of Urban Development and Transport should map out routes for buses and taxis which must be strictly adhere to. The Ministry of works should, at least, grade buses and taxi routes which are not currently motorable to encourage drivers to ply these routes. Since government wants to regulate the transport system, government should give incentives to drivers and transporters who ply routes that are not currently enjoying bus or taxi services as well as routes that are not considered profitable by government. Governor Amaechi please give us reliable alternatives to Okada.