By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has reiterated the ban on Okada and asked vandals to be warned.
The warning was contained in a press release signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor dated 11th November 2023.
The government said it frowns at the resurfacing of motorbikes in the Calabar metropolis.
Similarly, the State Government has noted the alarming activities of vandals and warned that the vandalization of critical public assets and installations is a criminal offense.
According to the release, Governor Otu has directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies to checkmate the activities of vandals and protect critical national and state assets and installations.
“Cross River State Government, Saturday, November 11, 2023, reiterates the ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as OKADA, in the Calabar Metropolis.
“The State Government has noticed the surreptitious return of OKADA operators within the Calabar Metropolis and seriously frowns at this.
“Law enforcement officers are, hereby, directed to arrest such offenders and have their motorbikes impounded, while the operators are prosecuted.
“The State Government urges all OKADA riders to adhere to this instruction as there are no exceptions to this directive.
“Furthermore, the State Government is alarmed at the activities of vandals and warns that the vandalization of critical public assets and installations is a criminal offense.
“To this end, Governor Bassey Otu directs the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies to checkmate the activities of these vandals and protect critical national and state assets and installations.”