A lecturer at the planning department of the Kwame Nkrumah University for Science and Technology KNUST, Dr. Camynta Baezie is urging the transport ministry to be cautious about calls for the review on the ban on the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes.
He argued that the economic argument should not shroud the safety risk and other dangers associated with the business.
[contextly_sidebar id=”yMplDDgYmczBLjl9cgPHRkZ856QtzAfs”]The use of motorcycle for commercial purposes popularly called Okada has gained grounds in urban communities despite its illegality.
Though the public has expressed mixed feelings about the business, the deputy minister for transport Titus Glover earlier hinted that government may consider a review of the law.
But speaking on Citi TV’s current affairs program The Point of View, Dr. Baezie cautioned against a resolution that will not be thorough.
“You can’t just use any motor bike at all if you have to use it on commercial purposes. First of all, educate the public, the users of it before we consider lifting it [ban]. You just can’t say, because it provides jobs , I am going to lift the ban, just for the sake of it. Else, the next thing we see is that, we are going to have an escalation of accidents where strong people are going to be dying. In the end we will be killing our youth in the country.”
Stakeholder consultations have already begun for a possible review of the Road Traffic Regulations, 128, 2012 which does not allow the use of motorcycles or tricycles for commercial purposes aside courier and delivery service.
According to the Transport Ministry which is leading the discussion, the Okada business has provided jobs for thousands of people and has also made commuting easy for traders, hence the need to reconsider the law.
Set up schools to train ‘Okada’ drivers before reviewing ban – Police
Meanwhile, the Police are calling on authorities to critically lay a solid foundation before attempting to review the law that forbids the use of motorcycles popularly referred to as ‘okada’ for commercial purposes.
According to the service, key steps such as the establishment of an institution to train and equip motorcycle riders with the requisite road safety regulation will be an integral part towards checking what seems to be a ‘danger’.
Dr. Samuel Sasu Mensah, a staff and programme officer, of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), told the host of the show, Bernard Avle that such a move will go a long way to addressing this source of worry.
“We should have a school to train the motor riders because riding a motorcycle is not like driving a vehicle. We need special skills and competencies on how to ride a motor bicycle. So we need to set up schools to train them well to respect traffic rules and regulations and ply within the rigours of the law. The right things ought to be put in place before we consider reviewing the ban,” he added.
“There are challenges with enforcement. That is why the issue of whether to review or not to review. It is not as if we have stopped enforcing the law. But what we are saying is that, the patronage is huge. So the issue is whether the laws are relevant or not. There is a need for stakeholder consultation. We should not dilly and dally about the whole issue and address the basic enforcement issues”, he added.
A ban on ‘okada’
The number of crashes involving motorbikes had gone up astronomically. In 2018 alone, there were 3,903 motorcycle accidents recorded.
Per the regulations, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, DVLA cannot register a motorcycle or tricycle for commercial use.
Also, the riders cannot take money from a passenger as fare for a ride.
Anyone who is found liable faces up to 30 days in prison or a fine of not more than 25 penalty units
Although the law exists, the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes has become one of the most popular means of transport in Ghana.
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By: Nii Larte Lartey & Anas Seidu | citinewsroom.com | Ghana