FG Asks States To Ban Okada Operations

STATE governments across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been asked to ban the use of motorcycle as means of public transportation.

In a communiqué issued yesterday in Abuja at the end of the 13th Council meeting on transport held in Lagos, participants agreed for the Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency (NIWA) to establish an office at Alape in Ilaje local council of Ondo State.

This gesture, according to the communiqué, was to strengthen operations of the agency and ensure safety of the waterways.

It reads, “The federal and state governments should facilitate the transformation of the road sector through the PPP Initiative and where tolling is part of that strategy, ensure the provision of an alternative route

“States should discourage the use of commercial motorcycles as a means of public transportation.

“NIWA should consider the establishment of Inland River Port at Alape, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State for implementation in line with its development plans for the development of Inland Waterways.”

The council resolved to absorb indigenous freight forwarders to participate in government contracts which have freight components.

Moreover, the Federal Ministry of Works and Transport were tasked to facilitate the construction of bridges around interstate corridors in order to increase span of the nation’s highways.

According to the council, laws which had restricted state governments from embarking on federal infrastructures needed to be reviewed.

It further stated that “state governments are encouraged to establish functional Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) to ensure proper road safety enforcement, drivers’ license processing and road worthiness testing.

“Council resolved that all parties should ensure full implementation and respect for the tripartite arrangement in place for the Unified National Drivers Licence Scheme, as it relates to states and FRSC such that the process starts and ends with the state accredited agency.

“Council resolved that NIWA should consider the dredging of shallow areas of inland waterways, provide navigational aids and remove wrecks littering the inland waterways.”