The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Anambra has described accidents and injuries involving commercial motorcyclists as alarming.
Mr Sunday Ajayi, the Sector Commander in the state, expressed the view when he addressed some 800 motorcyclists during a sensitisation programme in Awka on Sunday.
He said the operators were lucky that Anambra government had not outlawed their operations in the state capital as was the case in many states.
Ajayi said the motorcyclists should not use the opportunity granted them by the state government to kill e themselves and other road users.
The commander who said the state recorded 115 commercial motorcycle accidents in 2014, 74 in 2015, 65 in 2016 and 13 in the current year with four resulting in deaths.
He blamed the accidents on the lack of training, use of drugs and intoxicants, route violation and overloading.
Ajayi urged the motorcyclists not to see themselves as frustrated but as crucial stakeholders in road transport business who had better reach with speed.
“We are worried because you people are killing yourselves and other road users because of recklessness, all these are avoidable if you are properly trained and not just moving your bikes.
“In most state capitals, Okada business is banned but Gov. Willie Obiano still accommodates you because of his concern for the common man, but that should not be a licence to kill yourselves.
“This sensitisation is to keep you abreast with some of the safety standards we have for Okada operators because we shall intensify our enforcement which borders on licence, use of crash helmet, overloading, speed, among others,” he said.
Ajayi urged the motorcyclists’ union to ensure that members passed the minimum requirements before they were admitted as members.
In his remark, the Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN), Awka South Branch, Mr Ajuluchukwu Nwozor, said they would continue to partner FRSC to sensitise the members.
Nwozor said the union was equally worried by accidents involving its members, adding that the sensitisation campaign was part of the efforts of MTUN to make the roads safe. (NAN)
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