Leadership (Abuja)
Lilian Agih and Catherine Agbo
6 January 2009
Abuja — Following the Thursday arrest of 75 okada riders by the Kubwa Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the region has recorded 55 per cent level of compliance in the use of safety helmets by riders.
Speaking in an interview with LEADERSHIP, the Kubwa Unit commander, ACC Ali Sule Tanimu, said because the riders were arrested on the first day of the enforcement, several of them have since taken the cue.
"We have being drumming it into their ears that the enforcement will commence on January 1, and most of them own helmets but they wanted to see the level of enforcement first. To show how serious we are, we not only arrested them, but also impounded their bikes. Since then, we have recorded serious compliance in Kubwa and as at now, I can say we have 55 per cent compliance from okada riders".
Tanimu posited that the bikes would be released to the owners only after the procurement of two helmets for both rider and passengers. He further maintained that those affected are expected to pay a penalty fine of N2,000 and attend a public enlightenment lecture before their bikes are released.
LEADERSHIP gathered that riders with industrial helmets were also arrested. The unit commander explains, "We also arrested some with industrial helmets. This is because these helmets have no inner protection to prevent injuries. These too had their bikes impounded and will have to go through the proper procedure.
"We also encountered passengers who declined the use of the helmet even when the riders had two. Such passengers were forced to disembark and the riders were released. However, we are calling on all okada riders to ensure that passengers wear helmets because henceforth, they will be the ones to suffer the penalty. Do not carry passengers who refuse to use the helmet" Tanimu cautioned.
Although the ACC acknowledged that the level of compliance at the moment is not enough, he expressed hope that with the enforcement and penalty attached, it will get better especially as several riders without helmets have parked their bikes to avoid impoundment. He called on all okada riders to get two helmets each as this will help prevent them against severe injuries in the case of accidents.
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