Report by Nana POKU
The Coastal Development Authority through an automobile company has procured the first 200 Mini cars to phase out the unsafe Okada system to ensure safety and discipline on our city’s roads. The CEO of the CODA, Lawyer Jerry Shaibu Ahmed who launched the program advised the privileged beneficiaries to turn a new leaf and adopt the laid down driving rules to reduce carnage on our roads.
“As a board member of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, l see a lot of Okada accidents and the danger it poses to our citizens. Thatis why the government has thought it wise to replace the two-wheel motorcycles with four-wheel mini cars,” he said.
The CEO said the cars were purchased for 23,000 Ghana cedis each and all have been registered. He said that the vehicles are however being offered for 25,000 gh cedis through CODA credit union facility.
He asked the motor owners to surrounder their machines for replacement. He encouraged them to register with the CODA Cooperative Union to get other things in future. He warned that the beneficiaries should not keep their old motor bikes and come for the new cars.
“We need the old motor bikes for our villages where there are no traffic and dangers where the riding can offer alternative benefits.
He said the next batch will arrive every quarter till all Okada riders get their allocation. He encouraged them to ensure regular maintenance of the cars even though the first 1,000 kilometers is to be borne by the importers.
He said that again drivers will be trained for free by the importers.
The beneficiaries will only pay 41 gh cedis per day for two years after which the mini cars will become theirs for good.
He expressed his gratitude to the Vice President Alhaji Mahammadu Bawumia for fulfilling the 2020 campaign promise to the Okada riders and assured them of future assistance in their business. A representative of the GPRTU advised the Okada riders to observe the road safety regulations and be of good conduct. He also asked them not to hustle with Trotro and taxi drivers for passengers. He also advised them to park at authorized places to avoid congestion and chaos at our lorry stations.
The secretary of the Okada Riders Association thanked CODA and Government for this program that will take them out of the usual risk and dangers their work is associated with. They also acknowledged the role of the Road Safety Authority who championed the current program and their advice.
They promised to abide by the driving rules but appealed to the police to treat them the same way as they will treat the orthodox drivers.
The spokesperson thanked the Government for the much safer way of driving and providing them with better alternative means of job for their livelihood. According to him the transport business is fraught with many dangers and it is heartwarming to see change to sanitize the sector.
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