FCTA Insists Abuja Okada Operators Must Get Permit

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has declared that all commercial motorcyclists aka Okada operators within the metropolis must now get permits..

Director in charge of the Directorate of the Road Transport Service (DRTS) of the FCTA, Dr Bello Abdullateef, stated this at the the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Abdullateef noted this had become imperative because many of the operators plying Abuja roads have been involved in differing forms of criminal activities, including peddling of hard drugs.

According to him: “The menace arising from many Okada riders is not just about traffic violations but also perpetration of crime. Okada is also used to deliver hard drugs across the city.

“It requires a multi sectoral approach to deal with the menace. We are introducing riders certification for those using okada for dispatch activities.

“Therefore, until you are verified by the directorate of road transport service you may not be able to ride a bike across Abuja. We are remodeling the licensing and regulations as well.

“These would be carried out to dissuade the use of Okada. Total ban has been suggested but it stil being considered.”

“Some of the contiguous states are already banning. And if we don’t ban it, FCT will be a dumping ground in a few years.”