NPP will not legalise okada; riders would be leased cars instead – Bawumia

- Vice President, Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia said government would not under any circumstance legalise ‘okada'

- According to him, the Okada business, is too risky

- He stated that government would rather give these okada riders the alternative to own new cars on a lease

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Vice President, Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia has stated that the Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, would not under any circumstance legalise the commercialisation of motorbikes, popularly known as ‘okada'.

According to Dr Bawumia, the Okada business, is too much of a risky business for the government to consider legalising.

He stated that government would rather give these okada riders the alternative to own new cars on a lease basis in order for them to carry out their activities in a much safer manner.

Bawumia made this known at a ceremony held for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Volkswagon and BlackIvy for the production of affordable vehicles and houses for Ghanaians.

READ ALSO: Election 2020: Okada will be legalised when the NDC is voted into power -Mahama

“...You can have a better option, and we will give you a better option. So yes, we will not legalise the okada business in Ghana. It may be a tough decision but it is in the interest of Ghanaians. We are having discussions, but we will stick to our decision to provide a better alternative for the okada riders. Let give them an opportunity to buy safer vehicles through lease and pay over time. It is a better option than what the alternative is”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transport, Kwasi Ofori Asiamah, earlier disclosed that stakeholder consultations had begun on whether or not to review the law banning the commercial use of motorcycles or implement it.

Flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, believes that since it is a means of livelihood for the teeming youth, why not legalise it and train those who would want to venture into that business.

According to him, okada is the only means of transport for some people in some parts of the country and does not see why it should not be legalised

Bawumia however, disagrees with Mahama because having to legalise okada will cause more than good to the country’s transport industry.

READ ALSO: Stakeholder consultations on whether or not to legalise ‘Okada’ has begun – Transport Minister

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Assin Central constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, bared his teeth at former President John Dramani Mahama for saying he would legalise commercial motorbikes, popularly known as Okada.

He said the promise to legalise Okada after he (Mahama) wins the December polls, reveals how visionless the NDC flagbearer is.

According to him, most of the graduates who by no fault of theirs became Okada riders wouldn’t have opted for that if there were better employment opportunities.

READ ALSO: Mahama is visionless for promising to legalise Okada rides - Kennedy Agyapong

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Source: YEN.com.gh