By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Kwara state government has decried the influx of Okada riders into Ilorin, the state capital, particularly after the ban of Okada business in Lagos state, admonishing various unions of Okada riders in the state on the need to beef up security among their members so as to prevent any untoward happenings in the state.
Commissioner for Works Engr. Suleiman Rotimi disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin during a strategic meeting with members of the joint Okada riders in the state.
Engr. Rotimi emphasised that all registered and recognised unions of Okada riders by the state government would be issued identification cards with barcode and new single uniforms as well as stickers to enhance easy identification and planning, adding that, as part of the strategies to enhance security, the census of all joint Okada riders would be conducted to ascertain the actual population of registered Okada riders in the state.
The Commissioner further stressed the need for road tax payment by Okada riders, while asking them to fashion out a realistic amount and mode of collection.
Engr Ritimi assured them of government readiness to collaborate with financial institutions to facilitate social investment scheme in form of loan that would further boost the transport business in the state.
Responding, the President of joint Okada Union, J.P Ajewole Gabriel, thanked the Commissioner for his listening ear and expressed the union’s readiness to abide by the single uniform, road tax payment being proposed for Okada riders in the state.
J.P Ajewole Gabriel, however, implored the Ministry to check the influx of Illegal Okada operators in to Tanke Oke-Odo and some other areas in Ilorin to forestall breach of security in the state.
In his own contribution, the Permanent Secretary Dr Yusuf Garba Manjo appreciated the joint Okada union for accepting the proposal on single uniform, stickers, identification cards/barcodes, while assuring the union that necessary machinery would be put in motion to make the proposal a reality within the shortest possible time
Dr Manjo also urged them to embrace the proposed road tax payment as highlighted by the Commissioner, which he said was a statutory payment meant to be collected from the riders by the state government.
In attendance were the Directors of the Ministry, CEO KWARTMA and the executives of the seven unions recognised as the joint Okada rider union.
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