Following the Delta State government’s ban on the use of motorcycles,
popularly called “Okada”, three septuagenarian traders have reportedly
slumped and died around Umuagu-Asaba while waiting for means to move out
to their business centres.
Reliable sources said two of the victims have been regular visitors
to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where they were said to have been
taking treatment for hypertension and other related ailments.
Leadership investigations revealed that commuters have been faced
with the problem of insufficient tricycles that replaced the Okada as,
in most cases, they wait for several hours to no avail to get their
destinations.
Expectedly, there is a mad rush for the only few tricycles that are available.Sources said victims of the unfortunate incident died on their way to
the hospital, a situation that has created palpable tension in the
quarters.
An Okada rider in Asaba who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he
had relocated to Sapele owing to the ban, stressing that Okada business
is his only source of his livelihood.
He said: “I am happy that the ban has not been extended to Sapele, or how would I have been able to feed my family?”
Reports indicated that many of the Okada riders that were formally
resident in Asaba have relocated to Benin, where they are said to be
making fortunes in the recent times.
Meanwhile, the people of Ugborikoko, Sapele, have continued to
experience holdup on the road and in most cases the holdups last for
hours as a result of potholes on the road.
Some of the motorists have appealed to the local and state
governments to intervene and save them from the pains of spending hours
on the way especially in the morning during school run.
