The Kwara State House of Assembly has urged the state government to review the activities of commercial motorcycle (okada) and tricycle operators to address rising security concerns.
During Thursday’s plenary, the House adopted a motion of General Public Importance raised by Hon. Lawal Ayansola Salihu, who represents Ipaye/Malete/Oloru Constituency. He cited the urgent need to curb criminal activities allegedly being perpetrated under the guise of commercial transport operations.
In its resolution, the Assembly called on the state government to mandate the Ministry of Transport to register only recognised transport unions. This, lawmakers believe, will help prevent the infiltration of criminal elements into the sector.
Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, who read the House’s resolutions, also urged the Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) to implement a compulsory registration system for all okada and tricycle operators. The proposed system would include identity verification, biometric data collection, and the issuance of unique identification numbers.
The Assembly further recommended that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq direct his Senior Special Assistant on Drugs and Narcotics to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting drug integrity tests for all registered commercial riders.
Hon. Lawal, while leading debate on the motion, warned that some okada and tricycle operators are reportedly involved in banditry, robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. He stressed the need for stricter oversight to prevent criminal elements from hijacking the sector.
Contributing to the debate, other lawmakers called for the enforcement of the 9 p.m. curfew on okada and tricycle operations, urging the state Commissioner of Police to ensure full compliance.
They also advised the state Ministry of Communications to intensify public sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness on crime prevention.
