The Nation Newspaper

Tag: motorcycles

  • Police to get 107 vans, motorcycles

    The police will next week receive patrol vans and motorcycles for distribution to the 107 Divisional Police offices in Lagos State.

     Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni made this known yesterday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting held in Ogudu, the headquarters of Area H command.

     The equipment, which will be donated by the Lagos State government, are aimed at improving internal security especially at the grassroots.

    The gesture followed complaints from DPOs that their patrol vehicles were dysfunctional.

     Owoseni said: “In furtherance of the work the Lagos State Government is doing already, it has considered it imperative to consider divisions that do not have functional vehicles.

     “The state government has concluded plans to hand over some vehicles as intervention to ensure every police division in the state have at least one functional patrol vehicle and motorcycle.

     “Currently, we have 107 police divisions across the state and they will all get one patrol van with at least one power bike.”

     On the importance of the townhall meeting, Owoseni said it was to drum the need for support and partnership with the police.

     “The meeting was to tell the stakeholders on the need for them to partner us and the need for us to come back to the traditional ways of resolving conflicts. That was the message we passed.”

    Area H Commander Aliyu Garba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) said the meeting provided a platform for dialogue among stakeholders within the area.

     “The essence of this townhall meeting, which is the first of its kind in this area command, is part of strategic initiative of the Nigeria Police, aimed at adopting community policing practices in addressing internal security.

     “It was to also continually create a platform for generation of ideas to our security challenges. It is critical that in this renewed action to rid Lagos of criminals, we must spare a thought for the operatives that put themselves in harm’s way for our safety.

     “Clearly, a lot has been done but we must ensure that our gains are not lost by evolving new strategies to enhance our safety and sustaining our support of the Police,” he said.

  • Fed Govt donates vehicles, motorcycles for Benin polls

    Nigeria has donated 15 Hilux vehicles and 100 motorcycles to the Independent National Electoral Commission of Benin Republic to enable it conduct credible presidential election.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bulus Lolo, who presented the items in Cotonou, said free, peaceful and credible election in the neighbouring country was of interest to Nigeria.

    The presidential elections will hold on March 6 and 36 candidates will contest, according to  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Lolo encouraged the people of Benin and the electoral commission to conduct the elections in a transparent and credible manner.

    “Nigeria and Benin are neighbours; what happens in Benin is of immediate impact and interest to Nigeria and what happens in Nigeria has impact and is of interest to Benin.

    “Besides, we are one and the same separated by colonial rule and because of this separation with a borderline; we tend to think we are different people.

    “Therefore, our being here today to support the electoral process in Benin is a clear demonstration of our solidarity, brotherhood and friendship,” he said.

    According to him, Nigeria wants to share its experience with Benin to encourage the people that there is no alternative to democratic governance.

    “You are witnesses to the landmark change that took place in Nigeria in 2015, following the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in a peaceful, transparent and legitimate election without rancour.

    “That election in Nigeria was a landmark because for the first time, a ruling party that had been in power for 16 years, was voted out of office.

    “Through the free will of the Nigerian people, the election ushered in an opposition party for the first time,” he said.

    Lolo, however, said the peaceful change could not have been possible were it not for the courageous and independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He said: “Today, the support we are rendering to Benin is to enable the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome (CENA) stand firm and ensure that the votes of the people count.”

    The President of CENA, Tiando Emmanuel, hailed Nigeria’s support to Benin, saying the donation will assist the electoral body to enhance its performance.

    “The quality of relationship between Nigeria is demonstrated by the frequent meetings existing between the two countries.

    “During the last meeting with INEC, I told the INEC chairman that Nigeria is the elder brother of Benin and the elder brother cannot abandon the younger brother.

    “This gesture will allow CENA to reach the farthest parts of Benin during the election and will reinforce our democracy in Benin and democratic values in Africa,” Emmanuel said.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Dr. Lawrence Obisakin hailed Buhari’s leadership quality, saying he had supported democracy in Africa since he assumed office.

  • RRS arrest 105 motorcycles,16 motorists for traffic offence

    RRS arrest 105 motorcycles,16 motorists for traffic offence

    Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have impounded 105 motorcycles in  Mile 2, on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.

    The clampdown on motorcycles was as a result of the renewed “lawlessness” of its operatives, most of whom were said to be accomplices to criminals.

    It was learnt that 75 of the motorcycles were clamped on Monday, while 30 others were impounded Tuesday.

    Most of the motorcyclists who rode against traffic on the expressway, abandoned their cycles and fled on sighting thr RRS officials, it was learnt.

    Aside the motorcycles, the operatives also arrested 16 motorists who drove against traffic and impounded their vehicles.

    Two commercial buses that were driven against the traffic were impounded and driven to RRS office at Alausa with their passengers inside.

    The passengers were said to have been released after stern warning by the RRS boss, Tunji Disu, an ACP, who accused them of supporting their drivers to ply “one-way”.

    Confirming the arrest, Disu said the rate at which people flout traffic laws was alarming, warning that offenders will be prosecuted.

    He said: “They complain of traffic and traffic robbers and yet these situations are caused by sheer impatience of the motorists.

    “They drive one-way and block the entire road. Motorcycles that are not even supposed to be on the express have taken over the entire road

    “Most times, these traffic robbers easily escape on motorcycles after attacking their victims. People need to know that they will be arrested and prosecuted for violating traffic laws.

    “We will continue the raid because the state government and the Commissioner of Police are bent on containing crime and criminality in the state.”

     

     

  • 20,373 motorcycles impounded

    Since the ban on commercial motorcycles in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some 20,373 of the two-wheeled vehicles have been impounded by the administration.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary Mr. John Chukwu, an engineer, has warned commercial motorcycle operators to stay away from Abuja because their motorcycles will be impounded, if caught.

    Mr. Chukwu also stated that in order to ensure the safety of lifes and property on Abuja highways, the FCT Administration has used its new computerised Vehicle Inspection Scheme to check the roadworthiness of 11,000 vehicles from September 2014 to date.

    He claimed that the FCTA Computerised Vehicle Inspection Scheme is the first and the only one in Nigeria and added that the policy has become very necessary, considering the number of the unfortunate road crashes in and around the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

    Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary FCT, Muhammed Sule made the revelation in a press statement where he said that  Engr. Chukwu disclosed that the inspection is ongoing and

    urged the motoring public to take advantage of the scheme to know the status and be sure of their vehicles before using them on the highways.

    He restated that the vehicles’ test would make the Directorate of Road Traffic Services certify such vehicles for use thereby minimizing avoidable road accidents.

    Chukwu also added that in order to improve service delivery, the FCT Administration has  approved six additional Driving Training & Test (DTT) Canters for the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services to run driving tests simultaneously as well as the issuance of drivers’ licenses and assured that the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services as at today, has the capacity to process new vehicle number plates /vehicle papers within 24 hours except for fancy or out of series numbers that may take longer time.SSS

  • CFAO to assemble Yamaha motorcycles

    CFAO to assemble Yamaha motorcycles

    The CFAO Motors is to establish an assembly plant for Yamaha brand of motorcycles in Nigeria.

    The auto giant has signed an agreement with Yamaha Motor Company Limited on the motorcycle manufacture and distribution in Nigeria.

    A statement by the CFAO Motors said the joint venture, which would be owned 50-50 by both firms would ensure both companies benefited from the right to manufacture and distribute Yamaha motorcycles in Nigeria.

    The new company would be named CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited.

    According to the statement, the new company was scheduled to begin operation this year, adding that the factory was targing a production and sales target of 70,000 motorcycles by 2018.

    “The premises, which include an assembly plant, will be based in a CFAO multi-activity site in Lagos, and the company has a target of over 70,000 motorcycle sales within three years of the startup,” the statement said.

    Yamaha, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of motorcycles with a presence in about 200 countries, is expected to contribute its manufacturing and marketing expertise to the venture.

    With a strong and longstanding presence of over 112 years in Nigeria as well as an extensive network in 20 cities and towns in the country, the CFAO said it had in-depth knowledge of the local market, distribution networks and customer needs.

    The CFAO, which with operations in over 37 countries, said it was already imports and distributes Yamaha products in 16 other countries in Africa.

  • BMW recalls nearly 49, 000 motorcycles

    BMW is recalling nearly 49,000 motorcycles in the United States (US) and Canada because flanges that hold the rear wheel can crack if bolts are too tight.

    The recall covers multiple models including the 2005 to 2010 R1200 GS and R1200 RT, and the 2006 to 2010 R1200 GS Adventure.

    BMW says if bolts that hold the rear wheels to a flange are over-tightened, the flange can crack. If that happens, the bolts can loosen and the wheel may not stay secured to the bike.

    The problem was discovered after a 2004 motorcycle crashed in Spain last August. BMW says the rider and passenger were bruised and scraped.

    The recall is expected to begin on April 21. Dealers will replace the aluminium flange with a steel one at no cost to owners.

  • Police recover 23 vehicles, 17 in Ibadan

    Police recover 23 vehicles, 17 in Ibadan

    The police in Oyo State have recorded a major breakthrough with the recovery of 23 vehicles, 17 motorcycles and 3,000 live ammunition.

    Commissioner of Police Muhammad Katsina aanounced this while parading the suspects and the recovered vehicles at the state headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the state capital.

    He said: “The cars were recovered from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and Kano states. The command’s intelligence gathering has paid off.

    “The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) conducted a painstaking discreet, diligent investigation leading to the recovery of assorted cars, which were snatched from their owners and stolen from where parked.

    “Two cars were recovered from Lagos, five from Ogun, two from Oyo, 11 from Kwara and Kano states.

    “Adejuwon Olanipekun aka Marchal, a member of a notorious robbery gang, which specialises in snatching posh cars, was arrested on February 19 on the Lagos/Ogun State axis.

    “Other suspects are Funsho  Aderope Jeffery, Oyelade Ganiyu, Bala Aliu, Yahaya Mohammed (receiver based in Kano), Oladotun Oluwafemi, Babalola Kazeem and Suaibu Busari aka Damenda.

    He said two locally made cut-to-size single barrel guns with two live cartridges and 49 live berretta pistol ammunition were recovered from them.

    Katsina added that 17 motorcycles were also recovered from a syndicate, which rebrands stolen motorcycles.

    Over 3,000 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition were recovered from some hoodlums at Idi-Iroko community, Soka, Ibadan.

    Five suspects who specialise in selling human parts were also arrested. Katsina said the suspects have excavated six graves at Muslim cemetery in Apete.

    The suspects are Abati Kolade, Tayo Akinrinola, Ramon Korede, Mojeed Adediran and Saki Adediran.

    Praising the policemen, Jamiu Adebayo, whose car was recovered, thanked the security operatives for their timely response.

    He said:” My brother sent on an errand with his car on March 6, but on getting to Oke -Ado three people on a motorcycle told me that my tyre was flat.

    “As I wanted to get down, they dragged me away and took the car. I called my brother immediately and we reported the matter to the police and our car was found two hours later.”

  • Motorcycles may be banned for public transportation

    The National Council on Transportation (NCT) has proposed a ban on the use of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada or Achaba for commercial purposes.

    The proposal, seen as one of the measures aimed at the provision of safe and secured transportation across the country, was one of the major issues at the National Council on Transport (NCT) retreat at the Nike Lake Resort, Abakpa Nike, Enugu State.

    A communiqué, which was co-signed by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and the Kogi State Commissioner for Transport,Abdulraman Wuya, said “All states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been advised to establish a public transport system that ensure strict regulation of the operation of public passenger transportation through a well articulated management system for enhanced safety, security, effective and efficient service delivery.

    “The states are to also develop master plans for the development of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to facilitate the development and management of their transport operations in line with emerging trends and global best practices.”

    It was also agreed that all commercial vehicles should be properly registered in each state; their enumeration should be carried out periodically to enhance safety and security.

    This year’s theme: “Providing safe and Secure Transportation: Building Stakeholders’ Confidence” examined transportation on the nation’s waters and directed that the Ministry of Transport should develop a national minimum standard framework on safety and security on the nation’s inland waterways.

  • Ebola: FG supplies vehicles, motorcycles for border checks

    The federal government has provided vehicles and motorcycles to effectively man strategic borders as part of measures to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Halliru Alhassan, disclosed this yesterday in Sokoto while briefing newsmen on efforts to contain the deadly disease.

    Alhassan said his ministry has mapped out a collaborative mechanism with the Ministry of Interior as well as its agencies against the disease.

    He explained that the initiative was aimed at adequately manning the nation’s porous borders.

    According to him:”The federal government is up and doing with a view not to take any chances.”

    The minister said the federal government has formed a specialised rapid response team to totally deal with the menace.

    The team, he said, consists of doctors, medical laboratory scientists and other medical professionals.

    According to him: “The major challenge is getting the understanding of Nigerians, especially those under quarantine.”

    “Over 400 persons are still under observation while only one case is outstanding in Lagos with two isolation centres currently in operation in Lagos and Port Harcourt,” he explained.

    On the residency programme, the minister said that the federal government has not sacked any resident doctor.

    “The federal government only stopped the residency programme because they went on strike. But it will be reviewed,” he maintained.

  • No plan to ban motorcycles, says Fayemi

    No plan to ban motorcycles, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has denied rumours that he plans to ban commercial motorcycles in the state, if re-elected.

    Fayemi said he only advised riders to obey traffic rules to avoid accidents.

    The governor spoke yesterday while hosting commercial motorcyclists, who converged at his office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The motorcyclists said they were there to assure him of their votes at the June 21 governorship poll.

    The motorcyclists earlier went round major roads, doing stunts, to show their support for the governor.

    Fayemi said: “The rumour is being peddled by my detractors, who are trying to get undue favour from motorcyclists ahead of the election.”

    Reiterating his administration’s commitment to making life better for the masses, he thanked them for supporting him in “rescuing the state from the grip of political locusts since the beginning of the struggle in 2007”.

    He promised to provide free helmets for the motorcyclists and give their association a bus.

    Chairman on the Commercial Motorcyclists’ Association Adebo Olu-Martins, said they came to assure the governor of their support because “he has transformed the transport sector and made our business easy by providing tarred roads across the state”.

    Olu-Martins said: “We thank the governor for saying he will not ban okada. We appreciate him for the construction of good roads because that is what is most important to us, since we use the roads.

    “My people support good things and the governor’s work is visible across the state. There is no community that has not felt the administration’s impact.”