By Sandra Kenneth
With just two weeks left before the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, takes effect in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, residents and operators say they are frustrated by the lack of preparation and alternative transport arrangements.
The ban was announced by Council Chairman, Dr. Gift Worlu, and has sparked anxiety across communities, with critics accusing the administration of “policy insensitivity.”
Choba Residents: “We Have No Other Option”
In the Choba axis, residents say several link roads are completely inaccessible to vehicles, leaving Okada as the only means of getting to and from their homes.
A resident in the SDA area of Choba told ExceedFM:
“This government is not people-oriented. They are always pushing policies without looking at the effects on the ground. It feels like they just want to make life harder for the poor masses.”
He added that roads around the gas plant area have been destroyed by heavy tippers, making vehicle access worse during the rains.
“What is the government doing about that before banning our only means of movement?” he asked.
Okada Riders: “Two Weeks Is Not Enough”
Commercial motorcyclists say the timeline is too short to find alternative livelihoods. Many say they barely make enough daily to save.
“The government should have given us at least a six-month window to make other arrangements for our survival,” an Okada rider said.
“This sudden announcement is not just a shock; it is a direct threat to our survival as human beings.”
Residents Demand Action
With the countdown underway, residents are calling on the Obio/Akpor council to urgently:
Repair dilapidated link roads across the LGA
Introduce palliative transport measures to cushion the impact of the ban.
Dr. Worlu is yet to announce any alternative transport scheme ahead of the ban’s enforcement date.
