The action is based on the allegations that the motorcyclists have destroyed public properties, especially fashion flowers, planted in the center of two-way streets along major roads in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s government in Ondo State has banned the operation of commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders in the State.
The action is based on the allegations that the motorcyclists have destroyed public properties, especially fashion flowers, planted in the center of two-way streets along major roads in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
A source in the government office, who pleaded anonymity, told SaharaReporters that the Governor personally ordered the suspension through his secretary on Friday.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Rotimi Adelola, and exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, said that security agencies have been ordered to impound any motorcycle that violated the Governor’s order.
"The Ondo State Government has ordered, effective from 12 midnight today 24th July, 2015, the suspension of commercial motorcycle (Okada) operations in Akure metropolis,” the statement read in part.
"Effective from 12 midnight today, any unregistered commercial motorcycle (Okada) will be impounded,” it also stated.
"Protests, government knows, are legitimate means of expressing grievances. Destructive protests are however way beyond what is permissible in any civilized society. Government can therefore not afford to allow a recourse to vandalism as witnessed in the last protest,” the official statement added.
It has also been learned that the State government set up an investigative panel ascertain the root causes of the Okada rider protests.
On Thursday, thousands of commercial motorcyclists demonstrated in Akure. They protested over government unlawful extortion and continuous victimization of their members.