COVID-19: Umahi bans 'Okada' in Ebonyi State

Following the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has banned, with immediate effect, the operations of motorcycles (popularly known as Okada) in the state.

In a statement released to the media Saturday afternoon, which was signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze, Umahi said the reason for the ban is because "misguided elements hire Okada to enter Ebonyi State through track roads", which is against the COVID-19 law of 2020.

He added that the ban is without exception and applies to all parts of the state as the government is working tirelessly to ensure that the deadly Coronavirus does not enter Ebonyi state.

The statement reads in full: "The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE has noted with dismay how misguided elements hire motorcyclists popularly called Okada to enter Ebonyi State through track roads, which contravenes the COVID-19 Law 2020 and as a result, has directed immediate ban of the use of Motorcycles (Okada) in Ebonyi State.

"This directive is without exception and the ban is an all-time ban across the state. It's imperative to note that our dear Governor is working tirelessly to ensure that this deadly Coronavirus does not enter our dear state and will not relent in his efforts to ensure that the COVID-19 Pandemic does not enter Ebonyi."

Afikpo North is believed to be the second most developed city after Abakaliki, the state capital, with okada business being used as a source of income by many families.

The ban is coming just a few days after the governor had relaxed the lockdown in Ebonyi State, especially burial ceremonies and religious gatherings ahead of Easter Sunday.

The development has been attracting criticism and knocks from different quarters, especially on social media, at the time of filing this report.

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