By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE
The Ministry of Transport has started official processes to legalise operations of motorcycles for commercial use.
Motorcycle transport for commercial purposes, otherwise known as ‘Okada’, has been providing employment for thousands of young people although the mode of transport is yet to be commercialised.
An Inter-Agency Committee tasked with reviewing the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, L.I.2180 and specifically to consider the use of motorcycles and tricycles for fare-paying passenger services across the country has been Inaugurated.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said the Committee will work diligently to ensure that ‘Okada’ is legalised with focus on safety and innovation.
The Committee’s task, he said, will involve engagement through discussions, data gathering and analysing best practices to ensure amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations that address safety concerns while promoting economic benefits.
“It is crucial that we hear the voices of those who operate commercial motorcycles and tricycles and those who rely on these services daily. Therefore, stakeholder consultation will be undertaken beyond the Committee’s work to elicit grassroots information to shape the regulations,” he added.
The committee
The 13-member Committee is made up of key institutions and law enforcement agencies – including the Transport Ministry, DVLA, MTTD, NRSA, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Timelines
The Committee, according to the minister, is expected to conclude its consultation with all stakeholders within a month and present reports to begin successful legal operation of motorcycles.
Barring any delay, the legalisation and proper commercialisation process is expected to begin within the second quarter of this year.
Benefits of ‘Okada’ and the existing law
The use of motorcycles and tricycles for passenger carriage, popularly referred to as Okada or, depending on which region they operate in, as Pragyia, Mahama can do, Yellow Yellow and Aboboya, has emerged as a vital mode of transport in the country.
They offer flexible and convenient services, particularly for last-mile journeys; helping passengers save time while travelling and providing access to transport in areas with limited public transport or poor connectivity. In some areas, Okada has completely taken over traditional public transport services.
However, this practice is a contravention of the current road traffic regulations (LI 2180)… posing enforcement challenges and road safety concerns.
But the sector minister said the current quest to properly adopt ‘Okada’ into the country’s transport services aims to cultivate a road traffic environment that respects the rights of all users, fosters economic opportunities through employment and embrace new technologies.
Examples from elsewhere
In Rwanda, ‘moto-taxis’ are a key part of the transportation system, particularly due to limited public transport options, their affordability and ability to navigate various road types.
That country has integrated motor transport into its transportation mix, a sector which provides employment to more than a hundred thousand young people.
President-Okada Riders Association, Michael Kofi Owusu, said the Okada business has created livelihoods for over 800,000 young people across the country as of 2020.
The number of young people in the sector is expected to double by end of this year, 2025.
