Why I Didn’t Ban Okada –Obi

Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has said the state’s socio-economic indices do not support the ban of Okada as a means of transporta­tion in the state.

He spoke yesterday during the one-year memorial ser­vice of Mother Lucy Okoli- Ogudebe, mother of Uche Ekwunife, at St. Barnabas An­glican Church, Igboukwu.

Obi, who revealed that he was under pressure to ban Okada when he was the gov­ernor, explained that he always considered the socio-econom­ic implication of policies and actions before taking them.

He said: “I agree that Okada contributes to crime, but we must also accept that many of them are also good people and we cannot punish the mul­titude because of the sins of a few. We cannot, for example, seek the closure of a market because a few sell fake prod­ucts in the market.”

Obi, who insisted that what was needed was strict moni­toring of Okada riders said that was while under him a law limiting them to certain hours of the day was passed.

He said though socio-eco­nomic indicators might fa­voured its ban in some other states, but not in Anambra State.

“Anambra State has many motorcycle assembly plants employing thousands. Many families depend on Okada rid­ing for survival. Many youths are in that business to make ends meet. If we ban it in Anambra, it will be a disaster to the economy of the state,” he said.” Obi said.