Inhabitants and youth in the communities of Gbarain and Ekpetiama, in Yenagoa Local Government Area, are requesting the state government of Bayelsa State to scrap plans to impose a restriction on commercial motorcycles, stating that such plans might complicate their problems related to transport.
The legislation, which was passed in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on June 19, aims at banning the use of motorcycles for commercial transport purposes, commonly referred to as Okada. It also applies to the community of Amassoma, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where the state-owned Niger Delta University is located.
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This move has raised fears among residents because motorcycles serve as the major mode of transport for most of them due to lack of other options.
Representing the Gbarain Youth Federation, the Secretary-General, Baraseibai Ikpoebinimi, stated that the ban would be disruptive to daily operations as well as businesses and movement in the affected communities.
The commercial motorcycle drivers feared that the ban might result in joblessness among many youths because commercial motorcycle driving was the main source of livelihood for many families.
As per them, the ban of commercial motorcycles without offering alternative modes of transport might lead to increased unemployment among the people.
This is why the affected individuals are calling on Governor Douye Diri not to sign the bill into an Act. The people have requested the governor to take into account the effect that this will have on the citizens who use motorcycles in their day-to-day business.
The people also pleaded with the House of Assembly to reconsider the bill and consult community leaders, transport union representatives, and other interested parties to come up with a better option.
Instead of imposing a complete ban, the individuals felt that it should be made more regulated through the proper registration of commercial motorcyclists and the use of unique ID tags to solve security issues
