Army command in Onitsha to sanction motorcyclists for overloading

09:05 02/07/2015 Onitsha - The Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment, Colonel Mohammed Bello, has warned commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada, against overloading in the cantonment.
Bello gave the warning at a workshop involving the motorcyclists plying their trade in the cantonment on Wednesday.
The commander said that the cyclists must comply with the government directive of having two crash helmets – one for himself and another for his passenger.
"We do not want any confrontation with the civil authorities; you must comply with all laid down safety rules guiding commercial motorcycle work as well as maintaining a very limited speed within the cantonment.
"The days of carrying four passengers are over and I have also warned soldiers to desist from such risky act.
"You must make sure you have a valid driver’s license which will support your qualification to ride because the day of reckoning for those among you without license is coming," Bello said.
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Bello, who is also the Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, urged them to identify the bad eggs among who engage in riding at unauthorised hours and are in the habit of smoking cannabis.
In her lecture, the FRSC Senior Route Commander, Elizabeth Ejiogu, cautioned the okada riders against the use of hard drugs and stimulants.
Ejiogu advised them to always put on their crash helmets, wear thick clothing and sun or wind shade glasses to cover their body against cold and protect their eyes.
"By abiding to safety standards you are not only saving yourself but also your families that depend on your daily struggle.
"Getting a valid license is a must; you should discountenance the belief that operating within the cantonment covers you from not having your valid driving license,’’ she said.