Peter Duru
8 January 2009
Makurdi — THE Benue State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission has warned commercial motorcycle operators that it would commence the enforcement of the use of crash helmet order by motorcyclist at the expiration of the two weeks extension requested by the Benue State Government.
The state government had in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government SSG Dr . Audu Achigili urged the state Command of the Federal Road safety Commission FRSC to extend by two weeks its January 1st deadline to motorcyclists across the state to commence the use of crash helmet.
According to the State Sector Commander Mr. Sobowale Gbenga-Oke who spoke to Vanguard on the reasons why his men are not enforcing the order since the commencement of the year, the plea by the state government was made in good faith and to allow the state government tidy up its arrangement for the enforcement of the order.
Mr. Gbenga-Oke stressed that his command was ready to commence immediate enforcement of the order but since the Benue state government has plans to get enough of the crash helmet in stock for commercial motorcyclists it would only be proper to heed the request of the government.
He disclosed that already commercial motorbike owners have started paying and registering for the headgear at the state board of internal revenue in anticipation of the supply from the government.
The Sector Commander hinted further that the state government through the modalities put in place to supply the helmets will also establish a data base for 'okada' operators in the state in order to properly monitor their activities.
He said, "with the arrangement being put in place by the state government a data base will be established for all operators of commercial motorbikes in the state who will also be properly numbered with each person's number inscribed on his vests and helmet and this will distinguish them from other bike owners which will also allow for easy identification and monitoring of genuine operators", Mr. Gbenga-Oke said.
He therefore enjoined all operators of commercial motorcycles in the state to cooperate with the state government and the FRSC to make the roads safe by registering with the Board of Internal Revenue in order to be part of the reforms taking place in that sector.
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