The Ekiti State Government has directed all private and commercial motorcycle (okada) riders and tricycle operators in the state to register and undergo biometric data capture on or before July 18.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kehinde Ajobiewe, gave the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.
Ajobiewe said the exercise was part of the State Government’s efforts to strengthen security, enhance public safety and improve regulation of the transportation sector.
He said the biometric registration of all commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators would commence on July 6.
According to him, the Ministry of Transportation will ensure that every operator is properly screened and issued a valid riding permit upon completion of the registration process.
The Commissioner said the registration would be conducted at all offices of the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue across the 16 local government areas of the state.
He explained that the exercise was aimed at creating a comprehensive database of operators, facilitating proper identification and curbing criminal activities associated with unregistered transport operators.
Ajobiewe said the initiative would also provide government with reliable data for transportation planning, improve service delivery and address challenges facing the commercial transport sector.
He urged leaders of motorcycle and tricycle unions to mobilise their members to participate fully in the exercise before the deadline.
The Commissioner warned that operators who failed to register and obtain the required permits by July 18 would face sanctions in line with the state’s transportation regulations.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji to strengthening security, promoting an orderly transport system and improving the welfare of transport operators in the state.
The meeting was attended by representatives of security agencies and transport unions, including CSP Ogunleye Kehinde, representing the Commissioner of Police, Mr Isimikaye Tawio of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Asaolu Kunle, Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, and Mr Talabi Akinola, Chairman of the Tricycle Operators Association, as well as officials of the Ministry of Transportation.
