In the
last one year, the ban has swept across several states, including Delta state
that imposed the ban in some selected commercial cities and Asaba. With this
trend, there has been palpable fear among many residents of Agbor (especially
Okada riders) of the extension of the state government motorcycle ban in the
metropolis.
In view
of this therefore, Mr. Ogboi Hilary, in a chat with ika weekly correspondent
expressed optimism that The ban on commercial motorcycle could bring positive
changes to Agbor if eventually the ban is extended to Agbor. This according to
him requires serious strategies and articulate plans in other that the ban will
be of great benefit to Ika people.
He
narrated that some changes often come as opportunities in disguise but depends
on the way the people look at it that will make it yield positive result,
stressing that some changes in the State were resisted in the past but later
turned out to be positive steps, though painful at first.
According
to him, “I see a situation where the ban on okada will be implemented in Ika
land in no distant time. What the people should be looking at, are the
opportunities it will present by venturing into other businesses instead of
focusing on the peculiar topography of Agbor as a case.
“It is
often said that when one way closes, another will be open. I have personally
confirmed this to be a natural occurrence but it largely depends on the
disposition of the people affected,” he added.
Speaking
further, he noted that Lagos State has by the same process gained serious
implementation strategies to develop its state, adding that Edo State
government has also on June 11th, 2013 announced the ban of okada in the three
local government areas that make up Benin-City, a trend that is now gradually
spreading throughout the nation as earlier speculation.
However,
he appealed to the government to relax the ban on private motorcycles as many
persons including government officials rely on their private motorcycles as
easy means of mobility in order to help them reduce cost of transportation,
stressing that most persons in Ika land also use it for farm produce.
He also
appeal to the government to increase effort on the road project in Agbor,
especially the popular Old Lagos/Asaba Road which is a major road binding two
local government areas, but now gradually becoming a death trap to its users.
In
conclusion, he enjoined Ika people to realize that only change is permanent and
can possibly bring more development to the people.
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