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Banning Commercial Motor Bike By Anthony A. Akinola
About two years ago, I sent a memo to the Federal Minister of Transport suggesting ways of improving public transport in Nigeria. The memo, which among other things suggested a possible ban on the use of motorcycles for public transportation, was published by The Guardian newspaper. Being the great and competent government officials that they are in Nigeria, receipt of my memo was not acknowledged! It is sad that the well-admired Minister of the Federal Capital Territory waited for an ugly incident to occur in Lagos before proposing his ban on the use of motorcycles for transportation in the city of Abuja. Nevertheless, he deserves our praise for not doing things in the manner of the military. It is commendable that the users of motorcycles have been given sufficient notice to find alternative means of livelihood before the proposed ban on their activities commences. Hopefully, the various governments will address the twin issues of poverty and unemployment, without which a ban could be deemed unjust. It is also noteworthy that the Minister has hinted that about 500 buses will be put on the roads of Abuja in the not-too-distant future. Public transport should be a venture between governments and individuals. Those already in the business of public transport should be encouraged to constitute themselves into private companies, with erstwhile "owners" becoming shareholders in joint ventures. New investors will boost the ranks of a booming enterprise. One would like to urge our state governors to embark on coherent, long term transport policies, rather than seek to be aknowledged as kind and generous donors of motor vehicles to favoured and selected transporters. That is the way forward to achieving an efficient and organised transport system in a modern society that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is. The advantages cannot be overstated. It provides job opportunities for company lawyers, accountants, insurance companies and office attendants. With the prospects of drivers working on a shift basis rather than living their lives on the roads, the percentage of accidents on our roads would reduce drastically. Of course it will also be a lot easier for the government to impose its regulations as well as collect tax from the transport companies. Tax so collected will augment government's efforts and responsibilities to constantly maintain existing roads as wellas develop new ones. Let it be emphasized that the motorbike is not designed for use as a commercial vehicle transporting a human cargo, and no insurance company will endorse it for that purpose. Nigerians must now know that those who cause death and injury to others, or damage property through their negligence, can be sued for compensation. Suing an 'okada' rider is a waste of time. Okada business is a child of expediency, driven by poverty, unemployment, and the collapse of the transport system in Nigeria. It does not qualify to be accepted by any responsible society as a transport culture that has come to stay. By the way, has that naval officer who shot dead the "okada" rider been charged with murder? He must face the courts soon as he is physically fit to do so. No one, not even Mr President, has the licence to kill another Nigerian. What the naval officer had demonstrated is naked arrogance, and contempt for a fellow citizen of a nation, where, sadly, the sanctity of human life has been devalued just like the naira.
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