That okada ban in Minna: What Chief Servant should note

To me, it is not favourable to the citizens of Niger State especially, the residents of Minna. The frustration that this has caused should attract the attention of the state government before it turns into something ugly.When the Chief Servant of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, took office in 2007, many people including myself […]

To me, it is not favourable to the citizens of Niger State especially, the residents of Minna. The frustration that this has caused should attract the attention of the state government before it turns into something ugly.
When the Chief Servant of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, took office in 2007, many people including myself were happy especially with some initiatives he announced. I was happy with the policies of Ward Development Project and Jama’a Forum. Jama’a Forum in particular was used as a platform to hear the complaints of the masses with a view to serving them better. At the beginning, the Chief Servant personally visited nooks and crannies to interact face-to-face with the people at the grassroots so that he can attend to their needs without interference.
But since Chief Servant won his second term which PDP nearly lost in 2011, we have no idea of where his government is heading to. The interest of poor masses no longer tops the agenda of the Chief Servant’s administration. Imagine the recent decision he took to stop the okada in Minna. The government has failed to understand that some basic things were supposed to precede the policy. Where are the good roads in Minna for the newly introduced Keke-NAPEP to survive? The policy has expanded the existing dislocations caused by high level of unemployment. Most of the youths who were into the okada business now have nothing to do. My fear is what this idleness which most of these youths have resorted can turn them to. Many of them can no longer sustain their families.
Prior to the policy that saw the motorcycles off the roads, motorcyclists were only allowed to operate from 7pm to 7am. If the government actually wants to save its citizens from dismay and mayhem then it should also put in place machineries that would save the people from the debilitating effects of unemployment and poverty and also reduce the crime rate in the state. Niger has always been a peaceful state; the ban okada is threatening that.
 Job opportunities should be created to counter the threat. By taking these proactive actions, the crime rate in the state could be tackled minimal level.

AISHA Bello Suleiman, Department of Mass Communication, IBB University Lapai, Niger State.