Imo Govt brokers peace with Motorcycle operators in the State

In a bid to ensure their safety and security as a people plying their legitimate trade (of transportation) in the State, the Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, has on behalf of the Government led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, brokered a truce between the leadership of Commercial Motorcycle Association known as Okada Riders and some agents of the Government, as well as the Police.

The two sides have been at daggers drawn for sometime now in the State. The truce will ensure peace and smooth activities of parties moving forward.

Addressing the union during a three-hour bound interactive session at the conference room of the Ministry at the State Secretariat, Port Harcourt road, New Owerri, Dr Ugorji expressed gratitude to the delegation of the union led by its State Chairman, Comr Peter Udeogu for seeking rapport with the 3R Shared Prosperity Government and coming to the Ministry of Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs (MOHSAVA) for a dialogue.

He declared that he acknowledged their grievances and also informed them that the government has security and safety concerns of its own regarding the conducts of Okada riders in the State.

The utility and thorough bred Commissioner, assured the motorcycle leaders of the goodwill of Governor Hope Uzodimma towards them as citizens and business people in the State. He also promised to send a comprehensive report of the working meeting with them, including their requests made and the solutions that were proffered at the meeting to the Governor, for an improved welfare of its members.

Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, in a round table with the leadership of Commercial Motorcycle Association known as Okada Riders

Upon extensive discussion on security and safety concerns on both sides, the personable and workaholic Commissioner Ugorji, appealed to the motorcycle leaders to choose to ride with Governor Hope Uzodimma in the upcoming general election for governorship in the State, come November 11, 2023.

He pleaded with them to mobilize their teeming members to a proposed “Riderthon for Hope” or “Riding With Hope” rally on a date and venue to be agreed soon in support of Governor Uzodimma’s re-election bid.

Earlier at the meeting, the group, which spoke through its State Chairman and leader of the delegation, Comr Udeogu, claimed to parade over 60,000 operators across the State.

They said they came to lay the union’s complaints about the treatment they said are often meted to them by security operatives, especially in Owerri metropolis, as well as other agents of State Government.

Comrade Udeogu narrated the experiences his members have reportedly been going through as they carry out their legitimate job, which was alleged to have resulted to bikes of their members being seized by the Government agents and Police, as well as some of their members being illtreated and even arrested.

“We are so bitter, some of our members want to go on demonstration in Owerri,” Comr. Udeogu narrated.

Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, in a group photo with the Commercial Motorcycle Association known as Okada Riders

Issued discussed include release of seized motorcycles and detained operators, data capturing and safety training of operators, helmets for both operators and their passengers, as well as aprons to identify them.

The parties also discussed the setting up of an inter-agency taskforce to ensure compliance with rules and regulations, as well as protect the civil liberties and human rights of commercial motorcycle operators and their passengers in the state.

Others who attended the working meeting included the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Public Safety, Rt Hon Ugochukwu Nzekwe, the Patron of the Okada Association, Pastor George Nwadike and Mrs Stella Azorji, the Head of Department (HOD) Administration for the Ministry. Read more.

By Chukwu Anyanwu

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