NEWS
Mixed Reactions Trail Proposal on Motorcycle Ban
Nigerians have continued to express their views on the Federal Government’s consideration of a possible restriction on use of commercial motorcycles.
The Federal Government had announced that it was considering a ban on the motorcycles as part of its strategy to cripple terrorists’ activities in the country.
The government proposal was part of the outcome of the National Security Council meeting at the State House in Abuja on July 21.
It said that investigations were ongoing especially to establish the link between mining and motorcycles which they suspect provide funding for the supply of arms to the terrorists.
The government hinged its action on the need to guarantee the country’s security, but said it was not unaware of the economic consequences of the proposed resolutions, particularly the motorcycle ban.
Restriction of operations of commercial motorcyclists has been undertaken at state government levels in some parts of the country.
Presently in Lagos, the state government has banned operations of commercial motorcycles in several parts of the state.
The Lagos ban, which took effect on June 1, was also based on security concerns and was a strengthening of an earlier restriction of their operations in parts of the state.
Mr Adenuga Opanuga, Chairman, Lagos Branch, Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) said that commercial motorcycles, though filling some gaps, had brought in several hazards.
Opanuga supported the Federal Government’s proposal on the motorcycles, but said there should be alternatives to minimise the effect on ordinary people using it to make ends meet.
He said that commercial motorcycles, popularly referred to as Okada, gradually gained acceptance as a result of inadequate transport facilities and lack of road infrastructure to link new settlements and hinterlands.
Opanuga said the easy accessibility to terrains that buses and other vehicles could not reach increased their use for movement as well as easy get away from gridlock.
The chairman said the nation’s dwindling economy and power challenges contributed to their popularity and acceptability.
Opanuga said the negative consequences of the motorcycles suddenly “crept in unannounced” outweighing the advantages.
He said they became perfect tools for high rates of crime and criminality including robbery, kidnapping, insecurity, ritual killings, influx of criminal foreigners, among others.
He said the recklessness of the riders and disobedience to traffic and social rules increased fatal road accidents and injuries, while making the roads unsafe for other users.
Opanuga said the proposal on the ban was in order, as the riders had become a burden on the nation.
“But, before the government takes action, they also have a role to play in terms of making the economy conducive for people that want to do other skillful work.
“If the light is stable, a lot of skillful workers will go back to their workshops. The artisans, hairdressers, mechanics, and the others will all go back.
“It is like a two-edged sword; while the government is thinking of ban, they should also be thinking of the enabling environment for people to work.
“They should also make sure that there is enough publicity and understanding of what the government wants to do.
“We cannot say all of them are totally bad but many are using an undue advantage of the flexibility of riding Okada to do evil and harm.
“And so, we will support the ban, but at the same time, the government should look inward to make sure that other areas are open for the people to exploit,” he said.
Chief Bolanle Akinyemi, the Akinrogun of Iwaya land, advised the Federal Government to resolve insecurity by tracking and applying sanctions against sponsors of terrorism in the nation.
He said that this would cut off funding for insurgents and curb their menace.
The chief said a ban on commercial motorcycles, good as the motive might be, would increase hardship and poverty.
“Banning of the okada would cut off the supply of logistics and source of funds to the terrorists, but in the grand scheme of things, it would have a long lasting effect to the populace.
“Banning Okada would have a negative effect on the economy as it would add to the hardship of the people and always add to poverty in the nation,” he said.
Akinyemi urged the government to create jobs and increase funding to the education sector to tackle poverty to stem crime rates.
Mr Fatai Igho, a commercial bus driver who plies the Sabo-Yaba to Iyana Ipaja recalled how he was almost lynched by motorcycle riders.
He appealed to the government to carry out the proposal, to safeguard lives and property.
Igho said “they act as lords of the road and ride recklessly, if you hit them, it is trouble, if they hit you, they will still gather to attack the innocent driver”.
However, Mr Chuks Akaeze, a commercial motorcycle operator in Agege, urged the government to use technology to fish out insurgents hiding in bushes and using motorcycles negatively.
Akaeze said those using motorcycles for legitimate business to cater for their families should, however, not be made to suffer for the sins of criminals.
He.appealed to the government to regulate them by adopting a database and expelling those that refuse to belong to unions.
Mrs Busola Lawal, a resident of Sogunle, and Mr Folabi Ogundipe, residing in Ogudu area of Lagos, also expressed their views on the proposal.
They both argued that if the proposal was for a total ban of commercial motorcycles, it would have a negative impact on the transportation system.(NAN)
From Abel Zwànke, Lafia
The 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has been decorated as a Fellow of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN). Ombugadu received the Fellowship Award of Excellence during the 41st National Solar Energy Forum (NASEF) 2024, held on December 10 at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Postgraduate School, Kaduna.
The award, presented by the NDA Commandant, Major General John Ochai, recognized Ombugadu’s exceptional contributions to renewable energy advocacy and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalist yesterday after receiving the award Ombugadu expressed gratitude for the honour.“I am deeply honourd to receive this prestigious Fellowship Award from the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigerian Defence Academy. This recognition highlights the importance of renewable energy in addressing our nation’s energy challenges and fostering sustainable development,” he said.
Ombugadu advocated for increased investments in renewable energy, noting that over 80 million Nigerians lack access to electricity. “This award is a call to action. Renewable energy is essential for our national development, and we must commit more resources to this transition to empower communities and combat climate change,” Ombugadu stated.
Reading Ombugadu’s citation, the organizers described him as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and visionary leader. Known for his contributions to healthcare, education, and water supply in rural areas, Ombugadu has drilled over 1,500 boreholes and enrolled more than 12,000 people in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Themed “Advancing Solar Energy Solutions for Sustainable Development,” the forum brought together energy experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to strategize on enhancing Nigeria’s energy security through solar technology.
Major General Ochai, who was also conferred as a Fellow, highlighted the NDA’s strides in adopting renewable energy for sustainability. “Earlier this year, the NDA established the Biodiversity and Conservation Centre, targeted at conserving the environment. In a few days, we will inaugurate a 2.5-megawatt solar farm, which will take the NDA off the national grid, help decarbonize the environment, and cut energy costs,” Ochai said.
He emphasised the academy’s commitment to community support, adding, “Whatever energy we generate through solar power will also benefit the Afaka community as part of our corporate social responsibility. Solar energy is the future, and we are proud to champion this cause.”
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmad Dangiwa, represented by Aishatu Yusha’u, emphasized the role of solar energy in urban development. “Solar energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainability in urban planning,” she said.
Prof. Magnus Onuoha, President of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEAA), praised the NDA’s bold step in constructing its solar power plant. “The NDA’s solar farm will serve as a shining example of what can be achieved when institutions prioritize sustainability and renewable energy,” Onuoha said.
He called for comprehensive policies to address Nigeria’s energy challenges. “Our alliance is committed to promoting the growth of renewable energy and transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner, more sustainable sources,” he added.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through its Managing Director, Abba Abubakar, represented by Timothy Shekari, reiterated its commitment to providing energy access to underserved communities, highlighting initiatives that have energized markets and impacted over 1.2 million people.
The forum concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to advance renewable energy initiatives across Nigeria, with solar energy taking center stage in the nation’s sustainable development goals.
Other distinguished recipients included Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Power Supply Company, Aminu Idris, and Mrs. Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, CEO of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE).
Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to reduce the price of petrol to N300 per litre ,to make things easy for Nigerians during the festive season.
George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, made this plea at an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.
The price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, is currently above N1,000 per litre.
According to the elder statesman,Nigerians are going through hardship, the President should give an order to reduce fuel price, specifying time frame the people will enjoy such window of relief.
He said that the federal government as well as well- meaning individuals and businesses could bear the cost of such price slash , to bring happiness to all Nigerians.
The PDP leader, who noted that December and January are special months , said that such gesture could start from the middle of December and run through January.
“I have been thinking, as a Nigerian, what can we do because the anger and the hunger are almost equal on the streets of Nigeria.
“What am I suggesting is that Mr President should sit down with his managers and give an order that from the middle of December to the end of January, the cost of petrol will be N300 per litre.
“The government can absorb the losses in the interest of the suffering people.
“If they (government) want others to contribute, let us know how much that is going to cost and ask people to donate, to bear the cost.
“We will be sending a lot of messages of happiness across the tribes and homes.
“Everybody in Nigeria will be happy because it will positively impact on this period of the year. It is a challenge and he (Tinubu) can do it.
“We need this in this December and January to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, ” George, a PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) life member, said.
Advising the President to take further measures to bring relief to the people, he said that the gesture would crash prices of essential commodities and services for the benefit of all .
He said that government’s efforts should be concentrated on reducing high inflation rate, unemployment, poverty and youth restlessness in order to create a better future for Nigerians
Speaking on the recent presidential election in Ghana, George noted that Nigeria’s electoral system needed reforms to guard against electoral frauds and manipulations.
According to him, the nation will continue to grope for development if the system fails to encourage best candidates to emerge.
Stating that election must reflect the wishes of the people and be devoid of religious and tribal sentiments, George said that Ghana election should be a wake up call for Nigeria.
“INEC performance must improve. The commission must make sure that the voice of the people is heard in elections.
“Electoral offenders should be made to face the music and sent to jail. We must be very firm about due process, credibility and transparency in elections,” he said.
Urging the President to revisit resolutions in the 2014 Constitutional Conference, George said that the current constitution was not federal in principle and practice.
“We should not deceive ourselves, the constitution is a problem. It is a military constitution, it is not democratic,” he said.
George called on the National Assembly to ensure devolution of powers and electoral reforms that would do away with manual collation of election results and mandate electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
George disagreed with political watchers saying no vacancy in presidency in 2027.
On the dwindling strength of the former ruling party, George, who noted that all organisations had its ups and downs, said that selfish interests and disregard for party rules remained PDP’s major challenge.
He said that PDP could bounce back and win presidential election if the leadership decided to elevate national interest above selfish interests and adhere to the party’s constitution.
“We will tell ourselves some serious old truth. We messed ourselves up. ” he said.
Stating, however, that the PDP was not dead, George said that lack of justice, equity, fairness and the inability to adhere to the party’s zoning and rotational principle cost the party victory in 2023.
Calling on the party’s founding fathers alive to wake up and rescue the party, George said that Nigerians were still waiting for the former ruling party to take over power and put things right. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu, is set to perform the groundbreaking of 2,000 housing units of the Renewed Hope City in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, in the next few weeks.
Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, announced this during an official assessment visit, on Wednesday in Lagos
Dangiwa said Lagos would represent the South-west, while the president would do that of the North-West in Kano, before doing that of the four other regions.
“Arrangements is already on ground, we have gotten sites, and work has commenced for 2000 houses in the Renewed Hope City that we intend to build in Ibeju-Lekki,” he said.
Towards achieving the set goal, the minister said the visiting team also paid a courtesy visit to Gov.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu to discuss area of collaboration between the federal and state governments.He disclosed that the federal and Lagos state governments had agreed to set up a Tripartite committee and ensure all the issues of concerns between the parties were resolved amicably for the benefit of all.
Earlier, the Minister embarked on an assessment visit of deplorable Federal Government buildings and assets across Lagos state in a bid to commence rehabilitation on them in a few months.
Dangiwa said the rehabilitation was necessary as the deplorable buildings posed a challenge and security concerns to the Lagos state government. (NAN)
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