Police Will Deal Ruthlessly With Okada Riders

The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, Ibrahim Baidoo says the police in the area will deal ruthlessly with people involved in motor cycle transport business popularly known as �Okada� in the metropolis. The practice was banned early last year after years of consultation with stakeholders. The legislative instrument (LI 2180) also prohibits the use of motorcycle or tricycle for commercial purposes. Despite the ban, okada business is thriving in Ashaiman, and this is said to be adding to the traffic situation in the town. There have been several reported cases of accidents caused by the activities of the okada riders. According to inhabitants, these riders blatantly disregard traffic regulations, causing harm to road users. They ride without observing traffic lights, and most ride without blowing horns, making unaware pedestrians panic and jump when alerted of danger behind. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Baidoo stated that his assembly will deal with any individual found culpable. �We are not going to compromise on that because the majority of the people in Ashaiman are against the operations of Okada and I want everybody to know that it is a ban activity and nobody is behind it.� �Okada business is against the law so I want them to know that if they continue, we will use them as a source of revenue, we will arrest them for carelessness,� the MCE said. The MCE also stated that he is hopeful the main Ashiaman road under construction will be completed by end of this year.