The monarch of Owa kingdom, Ika North – East Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty Obi Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II (JP) says the banning of motor cycle riding business and alleged high rate of crime as its cause, is an indictment on the law enforcement agencies, the military and the nine traditional rulers in the area.
Obi Efeizomor who broke his silence over the rumour gaining ground across Ika Nation that he endorsed the banning of motor cycle riding (Okada) business in Ika North – East, said before taking the decision to ban Okada business in the area, they, the nine traditional rulers who help to carry out government directives and policies at the grass-root would have been consulted, adding that there was neither town hall meeting called, nor they, the traditional rulers in the area informed.
He wondered the yardstick and indices used to determine that the people of the area, Ika North – East among all other local government areas across the state, commit more crimes than others.
He argued that the ban could have been tenable if there ‘are’ roads which motorcycles, not even the contemplated tricycles could ply on, in Ika North – East Area, pointing out that the roads have become not only rugged, but foot paths.
Commenting on the Army Command Secondary School at Mbiri in the area, the monarch lamented that there is no motorable road to access it, adding that the school which, he said, is a pride of Delta State, serving the South – South Geopolitical zone, could have been marooned, but for the roads that have become foot paths from Delta State end.
He pointed out that any person who wants to access the school on board his/her car has to go through Edo State road, querying what were the justification and rationale behind the banning of motor cycle riding business in an area where school leavers (degree holders) who have no – employments, engage to subsist?’
Speaking on ‘a highly pitched and unfavourable tone’, Obi Efeizomor said that right from Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s to Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan’s government, Ika North – East which gives PDP winning votes is to be foisted upon the ban on a medium that provides job opportunities for the teeming youths on the streets.
Concluding, Obi Efeizomor described the exercise as unfortunate and not tenable and acceptable, adding that ‘the crime which the government intended to curb would be on the contrary as many youths in the area would be forced out of business as there are no industries and factories in the area to absorb them, the youths’.
