The Directorate of the Road Transport Service (DRTS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said commercial motorcyclists otherwise known as okada riders will now require license to operate within the territory and its suburbs.
The director, DRTS, Dr Bello Abdullateef, spoke Thursday while reacting to a question at the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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He said the riders were also being used to deliver hard drugs across the city apart from traffic violations.
Abdullateef said: “The menace arising from many okada riders is not just about traffic violations but also perpetration of crime. Okada is also used to deliver hard drugs across the city.
“It requires a multi-sectoral approach to deal with the menace. We are introducing riders’ certification for those using okada for dispatch activities.
“Therefore, until you are verified by the Directorate of Road Transport Service, you may not be able to ride a bike across Abuja. We are remodeling the licensing and regulations as well.
“These would be carried out to dissuade the use of okada. Total ban has been suggested but it is being considered.
“Some of the contiguous states are already banning. And if we don’t ban it, FCT will be a dumping ground in a few years,” he added.
