By EMMA AMAIZE Regional Editor, South South
This is the concluding part of this report which was first published yesterday
OKADA is not the problem- Footballer
Footballer, Ikechukwu Anayo, said: "I am a footballer, so the ban is not for somebody like me to exercise; it is not a blessing to me. I have friends who have been displaced because of this ban. Someone who was staying in Okumagba area has now been forced to relocate to the village so that he can operate his okada. Many people who earn a living riding okada are now suffering because they cannot work again.
"Is okada the problem of the people? Why should the government single out okada only as a means used by robbers? Is it only okada that causes accident?
Government’s failure
The Dana plane crash killed over a hundred at a time, has the government banned airplane? People use cars to rob, so the excuse is not genuine. The government has failed to provide water, electricity and employment, people are suffering and he is adding to their pains.
Mrs. Adedoja at work
Govt should build roads, bridges, create jobs: "Look at Edo State, Oshiomhole has turned the place around, yet he has not banned okada because he is focused, our government should focus on building bridges, roads, housing estates and create jobs, they should stop causing pains to people. Look around and see suffering everywhere, Warri looks like a desert now because many businesses have crumbled with the ban.”
An undergraduate, Christopher Odamah, however, thinks otherwise. He told Vanguard: "I give kudos to the state government for the ban, many okada have been causing nuisance in the town, everywhere look calm now.
Tricycles not enough: "But the timing is wrong, the keke (tricycles) are not enough, also the buses are inadequate. Because the ban will have a lot of effect, the government would have solidified all arrangement to absorb the problem that the ban would cause. Now, many people have been pushed out of businesses, how will they fend for their families. The people whose business target were okada riders are now facing a hard time. Though the ban is helping me to exercise now, but it is not an easy thing at all, people are complaining, the government should think of how to empower them.’
Rescind the order - Trader
A trader, Mrs. Doubra Sembra, complained: "Since the ban, things have not been easy for us, we have to trek, many of the young men are suffering now. To feed is a problem to many, the government would have thought about this thing very well because these guys could turn out to become armed robbers, I think there is trouble ahead, people are suffering of flood, the government went and ban okada, it is not easy for the poor people.
"There are many people who depend on the okada for their daily living; those women cooking on the roadside are now counting their losses because there are no sales again. Government should reverse the action until when they are ready for it, but for now, they are not ready yet, no buses, no keke and taxi drivers have increased their charges."
Leave okada people alone
An aged woman, Madam Orugba Edefata, asked: "What is our crime that we should be made to suffer like this? At my age I have to trek if I am going to church and market, the ban is not good for me. Leave the okada people alone, is it because they support Ogboru that he is punishing them? The work of government is to give us good road, hospital free education and not to ban okada.”
Okada causing more harm than good
Ughelli South-based politician, Olorogun John Ewenede, stated: "I am happy that okada has been banned. I want it extended to Udu area, Ughelli and those major towns. Okada has done more harm than good, it makes many of the youths not to learn any trade or go to school because it gives them quick money. I think the government should be commended for the decision, the government has shown that they care for human capital development. People will get fitter now and healthier, we will get stronger now. Let the youths go and learn a trade. Look atGhana, all the young men have one or more handiwork, they are very skilled, but here, we have vast majority of youths without any form of skill, this is not acceptable. The little problem we are facing with the ban is a teething problem, which we will overcome soon. People hate change, but in the long run, they will adjust to it, I thank the governor for this policy."
