Ondo State Government has suspended the operation of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada in Akure metropolis effective Friday. The government also suspended ticketing activities of Okada operators across the state.
The suspension came following a protest by the operators on Thursday over alleged extortion by the state government, during which they described the directive of the government that they should obtain a new number plate as exploitative.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Rotimi Adelola, who announced the new development expressed the state government’s shock at the brigandage and destruction by commercial motorcycle operators who were against registration and identification made mandatory for monitoring, management and security purposes.
He noted that although the government admitted that protests are legitimate means of expressing grievances, destructive protests are, however, way beyond what is permissible in any civilized society.
