The inauguration of 100 new Suzuki cars bought for ex-bike riders in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government was done with funfare. During the inauguration, supposed beneficiaries dressed in uniforms of the Road Transport Employers Association stood by each of the taxi parked at the Ikpoba-Okha secretariat where the event took place.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole who performed the inauguration was full of praises for the council boss, Itohan Osahon-Ogbeide for taking a step ahead to provide palliatives for the former commercial motor-cycle operators in the state.
The Governor banned the use of commercial motor-cycle in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor and some parts of Uhunmwode and Ovia North Local Government Areas in May this year.
Oshiomhole at the inauguration said: “The value of these vehicles shows how a local government can complement the efforts of the state government. It was my lot to try to take into account the overall interest of our state, I found myself having to reverse myself when I announced the banning of Okada. It was not the best mode of transportation and for many of us who have travelled to other parts realised that it remains a shame.
“But I had offered to support them because they were my allies during the struggle to reclaim my mandate. When the interest of the overall security of the state compelled me to reverse myself and to invest my political capital in order to enhance the security of the state, I had to take the painful but inevitable decision to ban the use of motorbike for commercial purposes in the three core local government that constitute the heart of Benin City.
“I did promise that we would try to provide palliative jobs for okada riders as well as take long term decision to increase the fleet of the Comrade bus and provide cars for the original okada riders. We are still working on that; so, for me it was a brilliant surprise when the Chairman of the local government invited me to come and commission these taxis. I am not ashamed to say that you have worked faster than me”.
Hon Osahon-Ogbeide had said the taxis were bought as part of her empowerment programme for former bike riders and that the venture was a Private-Partnership-Programme (PPP) inclusive of insurance cover cost, which places each vehicle at N1.9 million each and the beneficiaries are to pay in installments for a three-year duration.
She explained that the choice of Suzuki motor cabs was due to its cost effectiveness, ruggedness and the assurance of three years warranty of the product.
Checks showed that supposed beneficiaries are to bring a guarantor who should be a civil servant from level 13 and above and are expected to pay N2100 daily for three years before the taxi could become theirs or the guarantor forfeit his pension.
One month after, the taxis are yet to be seen in the streets of Ikpoba-Okha. Sources at the council told the Nation that persons who stood as beneficiaries during the inauguration were paid to perform the act.
The taxis are currently parked at a residence at Osadebey Avenue in the Government Reservation Area waiting for interested persons to apply. Commercial bike-riders whom the cars were bought for appeared not to be interested.
Some who spoke to the Nation said the palliatives measure came late after many of them have readjusted and bought old cars through hire purchase at cheap and affordable prices.
Henry who uses an Audi 80 for cab said the N1.9m for the Suzuki cars was too expensive for him.
“I prefer to use this and not have any problem. How will I work N1.9m in three years? Where will I get a guarantor? They should have placed the price at N1.2m or N1.5m.”
Others said roads in Ikpoba-Okha are not motorable for the use of the new cars.
Philip, a former bike rider who now work as a bus conductor said the council boss should have fixed the roads before buying the taxis.
State President of RTEAN, Osakpanmwan Eriyo, who is in charge of giving out the vehicles could not be reached for comments on why the cars were parked at the GRA residence.
