Danger in ban of Okada in Kaduna

Your Excellency may wish to recall the previous Kaduna State government’s decision banning commercial motorcycle operators popularly called ‘Yan Achaba’ from operating during some specific hours of the day in the past. It was more than unpopular decision at that time and the government was literally forced to review it. Since the news started filtering […]

Your Excellency may wish to recall the previous Kaduna State government’s decision banning commercial motorcycle operators popularly called ‘Yan Achaba’ from operating during some specific hours of the day in the past. It was more than unpopular decision at that time and the government was literally forced to review it. Since the news started filtering out that your Attorney General was to consider a draft bill seeking to ban Achaba operations in the state, top officials of your government have advancing various reasons, most of which are based on faulty premise.
I have noted the argument by your government on the need to counter terrorism/terror attacks, reduce crime rate, maintain sanity and safety on our roads and provide security of life and property in Kaduna State. No government, I believe, would take for granted these most important aspects of governance. But in doing so, a fair-minded government like yours should have sought for the views and interest of the people that the law will directly or indirectly affect. I am not talking of the ‘Yan Achaba operators alone, but commuters also, who constitute a large part of your subjects and who have come to rely on commercial motor-cycle as a most convenient way of  commuting.
Your Excellency, most of us are yet to be convinced by the various reasons top officials of your government have been advancing to justify this ill-advised and ill-timed ban. I am particularly aware of your justified and genuine concern for the attainment of peace and stability in Kaduna State. I also want to observe that the negative impact of this ban is bound to aggravate poverty and socio-economic problems in the state.
As a retired commercial motor-cycle operator myself, I have every reason to appreciate the socio-economic relevance of ‘Yan Achaba in Kaduna. It will do us a lot of good if we have a very positive perception of the ‘Yan Achaba phenomenon by seeing them as necessary evil who should be guided by a flexible and friendly government policy.
Apart from myself who had succeeded in fighting poverty and joblessness for three and half years through commercial motor-cycle riding which enabled me to save for my University education, I know of over 100 of my former colleagues who got educated and self-developed by means of operating Achaba. I also know many other ‘Yan Achaba’ who are workers but whose meagre monthly take-home pay will hardly take care of the 10 days basic needs of their families. They thus resorted to operating Achaba to complement their earnings.
As a matter of fact, the perception of many people is that you wanted to deal with ‘Yan Achaba simply because a neighbouring state reportedly did the same thing recently regardless of the dangers of such a decision to the well being of its people.
Finally, I want to plead with you to review and develop a comprehensive regulation of the entire operations of the commercial motor-cycle operations in the state.
Abdulrahman Mohammed Alfa, No 6 Mukum Close Badarawa, P.O. Box 7677, Kaduna.