Commercial motorcycle operators are currently defying the ban placed on their activities in Abuja city by the Federal Capital Territory authorities.
The ban, which has been in place since 2006, restricts the operations of the commercial cyclists, also known as okada riders, to only satellite towns. It forbids them from operating in all parts of the city centre, including Asokoro, Garki, Maitama, Wuse, Mabushi, Utako and Jabi.
But an investigation by our correspondent showed that despite efforts by law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the ban, some of the cyclists have resumed activities in Asokoro, a highbrow area in the city centre, in defiance of the restriction order.
Asokoro houses many foreign embassies, state government liaison offices and some government agencies.
It was observed that despite the restriction, commercial motorcyclists now operate, though haunted by the fear of arrest, from a major junction called A.Y.A to other parts of Asokoro District.
Operators of commercial tricycles popularly called "Keke NAPEP" also ply the routes unhindered.
An okada rider, who simply gave his name as Mohammed, said on Wednesday that though most commercial motorcycle operators in Abuja were aware of the ban, they decide to take the risk because of the lucrative nature of the route.
Mohammed said they charge not less than N100 per drop, depending on the distance to the main junction.
He said although enforcement agents routinely clamp down on them, some of them have learnt to buy their ways out.
Several attempts to speak with the FCT authorities did not yield result as the time of filing this report.
A recent media report had quoted the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, as saying that 9,143 motorcycles had been seized for defiling the ban, since it was introduced in 2006.
The minister added that his administration impounded a total of 1,231 commercial motorcycles, which are all at the Abuja Auto-Pound.
