Considering incessant road mishaps in some *Exposed* Communities in Awgu LGA Enugu, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State , Barr. Henry Okeke on Thursday “Afor” 25 February 2021 organized a Safety Sensitization Workshop for Commercial Motorcyclists (Okada Riders) in a bid to save the lives of rural dwellers.
The event which took place at the Okuku Izu hall, IHE Awgu LGA, was aimed at providing needed Public Safety Interventions in Enugu rural Communities where Commercial Motorcyclists activities are predominant.
According to Barr. Henry Okeke, SA to the Governor of Enugu State and Coordinator of Enugu Safety Group, ” 90% of our people in the rural areas depends on Commercial Motorcyclists (Okada) to carry on their daily activities. Obviously, 89% of road mishaps in our rural communities involves Commercial Motorcyclists (Okada). ” He stated that ” we embarked on the Safety Sensitization Workshop to impact practical knowledge on these very important personalities – Okada Riders in order to have them as our Safety Partners and life Savers.
Barr. Okeke further stated that ” His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is developing more rural roads, we need to evolve a Safety Mindset in our rural road users in order to utilize the new roads well.
Delivering the lecture on ” Rural Transportation: A critical look at the Safety of Exposed Communities, the Federal Road Safety Public Enlightenment Officer, Route Commander Azubuike Oti, emphasized the need to checkmate reckless driving and over speeding by Okada Riders. He impacted some vital Road Safety awareness tips on the participants.
While delivering the lecture titled ” Impact of Drug Abuse in the life of an Okada Rider”, NDLEA Area Commander Awgu Zone, Iliya Ishaku x-rayed in practical terms the dangerous effect of “illicit drugs” to the participants and warned them to desist from the bad habit.
On his part, The DPO MBANABO Police Division, SP Igele John while delivering the paper titled ” Community Police : The Role of Okada Riders in Intelligence Gathering ” , appealed to the participants to corporate with the Police in Intelligence Gathering considering the essential service provided by Okada Riders.
Expressing his full gratitude to the Enugu Safety Group, The Chairman of Awgu LGA Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe GN Ekoh stated that the Safety Sensitization Workshop is long over due considering the ” frequent cases of road accidents involving mostly Okada Riders”. The royal father advised the Commercial Motorcyclists to put the lessons learned from the Safety Program in practice.
Special Guest of Honour at the event , representative of the Secretary of the State Government, Prof. Uchenna Ortuanya who expressed the State Government’s commitment to the Safety of Ndi Enugu.
On his Key Note Address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport Enugu, Hon. Idike Ogbonna engaged the “Riders” on the need to imbibe “Safety Standard” in their Transportation business. The Permanent Secretary emphasized the need for the Safety Sensitization on Rural Transportation to hold across the State.
Highlight of the workshop includes, Free Medical Checkup, Presentation of Free Safety Reflective Jackets to the Participants , issuance of Certificate of Participation to the Participants and Affaimative Action – Safety First! Safety Always! as echoed by the Okada Riders.
The renewed Okada Riders expressed their joy and gratitude to the Enugu State Governor Rt. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for approving the Safety Sensitization Workshop aimed at saving their lives and that of their customers. The Riders who turned out more than expected , vowed to practicalize the gains of the Safety Sensitization Workshop.
Enugu State is in the hands of God.
