The Edo State government has commenced the enforcement of riders permit for tricycles and motorcycles operating in the state.
Speaking on the development, the head of the enforcement team and Director of Transport, Edo State Ministry of Infrastructure, Engr. George Aghahowa, said enforcement would be strengthened with a mobile court to prosecute defaulters.
He said the exercise, which kick-started at Nomayo, Abiko and Okabere parks, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, was in line with the state government’s transportation policy and measures put in place to sanitise the transport sub-sector as well as address security issues associated with tricycle and motorcycle riders in the state.
“The government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure, in 2020 embarked on a massive awareness and sensitisation campaign to inform commercial riders in the three senatorial districts of the state of the permit.
He wondered why some riders would feign ignorance of the project meant to benefit them.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Mr Igninidu Inneh, debunked insinuations that the riders’ permit project was for revenue purpose.
“The riders’ permit is not a revenue drive but an enumeration exercise basically to properly identify riders and operators of motorcycles and tricycles in Edo State.
“But the scheme has an element of tax, and also provides insurance cover in terms of medical care for the rider in case of accident.
The chairman, Okabere tricycle park, Ikpoba Okha council, Kingsley Odili, commended the state government for the initiative which, he said, came with insurance benefits for the riders ranging from N50,000 to N200,000 for minor injury, permanent disability and death.
