Leadership (Abuja)
Uzochukwu Obiekwe
5 January 2009
Abuja — Following the January 1, 2009 deadline on the compulsory use of crash helmets by commercial motorcycle riders otherwise known as okada riders set by the Federal Safety Commission (FRSC), over 2,000 motorcycles belonging to okada riders have so far been impounded by the commission.
Corps Public Education Officer of the commission, Wole Olaniran who spoke to LEADERSHIP in a phone chat said that over1,000 motorcycles were impounded in Lagos, 85 in Kubwa, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which itself has over 200 motorcycles impounded.
Wole Olaniran said that 14 were impounded in Kano. According to him, the Kano Sector command gave back some of the motorcycles to their owners telling them to buy helmets, adding that the motorcycle union had procured 1,500 helmets to their members.
He said the reasons for the high number of motorcycles impounded were that the okada riders did not take the FRSC order serious. Also, there was last minutes rush to buy the helmets as such there was scarcity of helmets.
He said the state governments were helping the situation by providing helmets for motorcycle riders.
The FRSC FCT Sector Commander, Nseobong Akpabio said the command had commenced "full enforcement of the use of crash helmets by all motorcycle riders in the Federal Captial Territory, Abuja. So far more than 200 defaulters have been arrested by men of the FRSC in the various unit commands in FCT. Majority of those arrested have procured their helmet. The report from Kubwa, Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada among others show that those arrested have started complying and several others are asking our men on patrol where they can buy to avoid arrest. It is encouraging; there is no going back on this".
He noted that, "I have directed my officers not to release any impounded motorcycle to their owners or riders until they present evidence of procurement and shown the helmet. We advice all motorcycle owners to go to any of the Area Councils in FCT and buy their helmets. There is no need for you to wait until when you are apprehended then you ask where to buy. Go to any of the FCT Area Council now and buy your own.
Corps Commander Akpabio said the public should know that just helmets were the number one defense against injury and death in event of a motorcycle crash. He urged all riders and passengers to use helmet whenever traveling on their motorcycles.
He said "It is worthwhile for all and sundry to embrace this safety device. In FCT command, we shall compliment the enforcement with aggressive public enlightenment as we continue to work with all stakeholders including the FCTA, various law enforcement agencies, the Motorcycle Associations, the Traditional Rulers, Heads of various ethnic groups resident in FCT, the NGOs, the religious leaders, market men and women, ministries and extra - minsiterial departments, community associations among others in the FCT".
"For passengers who do not use public helmet provided by motorcycle rider, we urge them to procure their personal helmet and make use of it any time they want to ride on motorcycle as non-usage will attract sanction on the part of their riders. Hence, we warn all private and commercial motorcycle riders not to carry any passenger who is not ready to wear crash helmet", he added.
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