Skip to main content

Okada ban: Umahi expresses shock, makes fresh proclamation



Following the condemnation and agitation that greeted the ban on motorcycles in Ebonyi State on Saturday, the state governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, has assured that government is ready to feed commercial motorcycle operators (popularly known as Okada) in the state.

In a statement made available to Paulokahblog on Monday, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation and Acting Commissioner, Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi, however, said that only registered members of Okada Unions in the thirteen local government areas of the state will be considered for palliatives by government.

The statement reads in full: "I have been directed by the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSE FNATE, to re-emphasise that the ban on Okada and motorcycles throughout the state is irrevocably in force.

"Any okada or motorcycle seen outside or caught will be prosecuted according to Ebonyi State Coronavirus and Other  Dangerous(Infectious) Disease and  Related Matter Law 005,  2020 and the Okada/ motorcycle may be auctioned. The people of Ebonyi State have to understand that we know our Poverty Index Level and that is why we have not locked down Ebonyi State like other states."

He added: "Government is so shocked about people complaining about banning of Okada, whereas, should the worst happen, God forbid, the entire movement in the state will be locked down. People must see life above business.

"However, to ameliorate the effect of this decision, government is directing all the Okada Unions in the 13 Local Government Areas with evidence of registration and the previous evidence of paying the prescribed IGR fees, to immediately compile their names through the Local Government Chairmen and the Commissioner for Internal Security, Border Peace and Conflict Resolution and submit immediately to the office of the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State. 

"This list when we get it will enable government assist them to procure food to enable them and their families to stay indoors. This compilation must reach the office of the Deputy Governor latest 20th April, 2020. Note that anyone who is not a registered member of Okada union with evidence of payment of previous IGR will not benefit from this government's kind gesture."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

N-Power monitors: Minister tenders apology, assures payment in 72hrs

Monitors of N-Power are expected to receive payments for the months of March and April, 2020 within the next 72 hours, while the process of May is on-going. This was disclosed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, in a statement made available to  Paulokahblog   in Abuja Tuesday. In the statement signed by the Deputy Director Information, Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, the minister said all approvals have been made and processes for payment triggered. She stated that the delay for the payment was due to the change in government policy of migration from the Remita platform system to the GIFMIS system of payment, which requires offloading the beneficiaries into the new system before finally uploading, reviewing and final payment by the Social Investment Programme (SIP). The minister regretted any inconveniences caused by the delay towards the payment of the monitors of N-Power, who have proven their mant...

Stop inflicting economic hardship on Ebonyians with tax demands, ex-SSG implores Umahi

Former Secretary to the State Government of Ebonyi State, Professor Benard Odoh, has implored the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, to desist from inflicting economic hardship on Ebonyians. In an open letter he made available to Paulokahblog Friday morning, Odoh said that, "as a way of cushioning the devastating effects of the covid-19 pandemic on Ebonyi’s struggling economy, there is urgent need to jettison the collection of tenement rates/ground rents from landlords, excessive/forceful drive for quarry haulage levies and waiving of personal income taxes".  Odoh regretted that, despite the efforts of the state government in policing its borders against the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebonyi State, as of May 21, has recorded 13 cases and expressed hope that the situation would not get worse in the state in particular and Nigeria in general, even as he pledged support for the state government in ensuring that the active cases are managed successfully "to t...

Don't quit by Edgar Albert Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns. As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup; and he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and when you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem...