O
PAYING
MUCH attention to motorcycles for
commercial purposes, popularly called Okada, we are left thinking as to whether
this means of transportation in the country is a positive growth in the
transportation sector of our country, or a mere national collective problem
that people now contend with.
It
leaves much to be desired considering their riding manners, attitudes towards
traffic regulations, disregard for the rights of pedestrians, the frequent
accidents they are involved in and the manner in which they escape the many
legal suits against them by authorities.
In
the Greater Accra Region, particularly at Ashaiman, motor riders are mostly seen
lined up along the pavement and lorry stations busily hunting for passengers.
Many people patronise Okada because they consider it as faster, convenient and
an efficient means of transport. Despite its high charges as compared to the amount
commercial vehicles charge, many people still patronise the Okada means of transport.
It
appears many of the commercial vehicles that ply the streets, the roads and
footpaths of our country are largely owned by influential people who are
amassing themselves with a good sum of money per each Okada. The Okada costs
between GH¢3,500 and GH¢5,500, excluding required paper work such as licence
and insurance.
According
to some members of the Ashaiman Okada Riders Association, an average charge per
a short distance costs at least GH¢3 and
daily sales by an Okada owner is GH¢60, and with that the rider is responsible
for gassing the motorcycle and taking care of all repairs and maintenance.
Let’s
do some calculations and see the result: Assuming the rider works for six days
in a week – multiplying the daily sales by six days (60X6=360). Taking the
calculation to this level, 60×313=18,780, if 52 days are taken away from the
365 days in a year, as Sundays are non-riding days for each Okada. Per this
calculation, it indicates that one Okada is enough to buy more than three
motorcycles in a year.
Probing
further to ascertain the ownership of the Okada, it appears most of the
motorcycle are owned by people in higher positions including state security
personnel who sometimes take loans from financial institutions to buy the
motorcycles.
This
brings to light the reason behind some corruption in the system where owners of
motorcycles sometimes intervene or protect them whenever they flout the road
traffic regulation. The Okada menace has become a very lucrative business where
one person owns more than a single motorcycle.
At
Ashaiman where this research was conducted, it was obvious that Okada riders
neither care about the law nor about pedestrians as they are seen moving all
over the streets, with total disregard for the lanes demarcated for incoming or
outgoing traffic.
Interestingly,
something strange which has been observed from the Okada riders is that their confidence
moves higher immediately they climb on top of the motorcycle. They clearly look
down on pedestrians and vehicles, disregard their rights to the road, and could
smash anyone who stands in their way. While moving at Ashaiman, drivers rather
have to give way to Okada riders on the street with the fear of knocking them
down.
The
seeming much lawlessness among the Okada riders in the area poses very serious
safety concerns. Although some people have called for the ban of such means of
transportation, the lack of law enforcement to further control these Okada
riders poses a very serious threat to our national safety if not addressed immediately.
Many of the Okada owners are amassing wealth generated by their motorcycles,
for which reason they deliberately ignore the many safety and social problems
these riders pose to our people. Okada business at Ashaiman raises concern over
the safety of our pedestrians, moving traffic, Okada passengers, and even to
the Okada riders themselves.
The
failure of the government to pay attention to the lawlessness of the Okada riders
has started showing its dreadful results as Okada accidents that resulted in
injuries and deaths of persons top cases reported at the Emergency Unit of the
Tema General Hospital.
These
fatal accidents are occurring and increasing daily simply because majority of
those who ride motorcycles do not either have licences, or they are ignorant of
basic traffic rules and moving violations. Many ride the motorcycles without
either licence, insurance, or even helmets, and by their riding skills, it is
easy to tell that they are novice in the motorcycle riding business.
In
an interview with some residents of Ashaiman, they expressed concerns about how
they were nearly or knocked down by motorbikes when crossing the road,
particularly at the traffic light junction. They condemned the business and
called upon the government to ban the business because to them it is posing a
threat to their lives.
Apart
from pedestrians being in danger, many also trade alongside the road. Speaking
to some of these traders, they disclosed that the activities of these
commercial motorbikes riders endanger their lives a lot so they are always
vigilant. Even with that, some of them get knocked down sometimes. They also
complained that the small portion along the road left for them to stay and do
their businesses is the same place these motor riders usually pack and hunt for
passengers. They therefore appealed to the government to do something about the
situation.
The
actions of these Okada riders are said to be making the streets of Ashaiman
insecure for pedestrians and other road users. Commercial motor riders must be
called to order and sanctions applied to those who flout the orders. Speaking
to one of the commercial motorists, he stated that he knows they are supposed
to obey traffic road regulations but he sometimes overlooks it when he is in a
hurry. He also disclosed that sometimes the passengers pressurize them to do so
because they are in a hurry.
Meanwhile,
this Okada business has not been legalized in the country and many are calling
for it legalisation. But looking at the situation at hand, one can wonder what
will happen if this business is finally legalized.
The writer is a student journalist
By Ama Beimkwe Attafoe
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