The Government of Anambra State has announced the restriction of the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in the three major cities of the state, namely Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi. The ban becomes effective from from next week Monday, June 1.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Uju Nwogu, the commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as okada riders are also banned from carrying more than one passenger at a time.

The statement reads: “The Anambra State Government has directed the restriction of all private and commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators from the major expressways in the state with effect from Monday, 1st June, 2015.

“Accordingly, all motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state will from next week Monday be barred from plying the Enugu - Onitsha and Onitsha - Owerri expressways.

Similarly, it will be illegal for all motorcycles either private or commercial to ply the following designated roads in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi:

“In Awka, the roads are: Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Arthur Eze Avenue and Zik’s Avenue.

“For Onitsha, the roads are: Onitsha - Owerri expressway, Awka Road, Borromeow Hospital Junction - Upper Iweka - Bridge Head Road, Old and New Market Roads and Oguta Road. In Nnewi, they are: Nnewi - Nnobi Road and Nnewi - Oba Road.

“All commuters who must ply these restricted roads are by this announcement advised to use tricycles or the taxis and buses provided by the State Government and other commercial vehicle owners.

“Law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance to this directive. Any motorcycle or tricycle operator caught violating this directive will have his motorcycle or tricycle impounded, retrievable by the payment of a fine of N5,000 for motorcycles and ten thousand naira for tricycles for first offenders.

“Subsequent arrest for a second violation of this directive will attract outright confiscation of the motorcycle or tricycle by the State Government.

“All motorcycle operators in the state are by this announcement restricted from carrying more than a passenger on a trip.”

News Express reports that the banning of the commercial motorcycles would have been effected during the administration of immediate past governor Peter Obi but because of the alleged income they generated, the decision was upturned.