Okada (commercial motorcycle) and tricycle operators have been given an ultimatum to enrol for the Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme before 31 December, 2023.
The state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, issued the directive shortly after the state’s Security Council meeting, held on Wednesday.
This was as the state deputy governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, has been given the responsibility to oversee three ministries and the government-owned Housing Corporation.
The governor noted that the state government decided to address the menace associated with commercial motorcycle (okada) and tricycle operations.
Makinde added in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, that the decision was taken with a view to further securing the state.
He declared that from 1 January, 2024, no unregistered okada or tricycle operator would be allowed to operate in the state.
The governor directed that all okada motorcycle and tricycle riders must ensure that they are captured under the state’s registration scheme.
He declared that they must do the registration scheme with their biometrics, including their names, motorcycle registration number, next of kin and other critical information captured in the scheme.
Makinde equally said all operators will have reflective jackets, which they must ensure are worn at all times, noting that the state government will be strict with the enforcement of the directive.
The Oyo State Residents’ Registration Scheme began under Omituntun 1.0, with the commercial transport segment already ongoing across about 50 centres in motor parks and okada parks in the state, it was stated in the release.
Meanwhile, deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal, has been given the responsibility to oversee three ministries and a government-owned corporation.
The decision was arrived at during the state’s Treasury Board Meeting, held on Wednesday.
The deputy governor, as contained in a separate release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, will supervise the state Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Establishments and Training and Special Duties.
The decision, as contained in the release, was in line with the promise of Governor’Seyi Makinde, to assign ministries, departments and agencies of government to be supervised by the deputy governor.
Lawal is expected to oversee the Ministry of Establishments and Training with a view to structuring the gratuity payments.
He is also to guide the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which was recently carved out of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, to drive the governor’s vision of expanding the economy of the state, using tourism.
Lawal was, until his selection as deputy governor and running mate to the governor, the chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation.
He is also to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the Corporation, as he will oversee it henceforth.