Plateau govt may ban okada in Jos

Isaac Shobayo, Jos - 27.12.2007

PLANS are underway by the Plateau State government to ban the use of motorcycles as a means of transportation within Jos, the state capital, and Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr. Alexander Kwapnoe, who disclosed this in Jos, said the move became necessary in view of the level of recklessness by the operators and its use to perpetrate criminal activities within the city.

He added that the most disturbing was the high carbon monoxide as a result of the operation of commercial motorcyclists, which contravenes the National Law Emission Vehicles Programme.

The comissioner said a current reseach by the minstry showed that the carbon monoxide emission from a single motobike was greater than that of three vechiles combined.

He added that a proposal to ban commercial motorcycles within Jos-Bukuru metropolis would soon be forwarded to Governor Jonah Jang for approval.