The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Rev Atta Mensah, has held a crucial meeting with Okada, Pragyia and Tricycle (Aboboyaa) riders, along with stakeholders from the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Fire Service in Effutu.
The meeting aimed to discuss ways to improve the tricycle business in the constituency, following the President’s announcement during his campaign that the Okada business would be legalized to create employment opportunities for the youth.
According to Hon. Rev Atta Mensah, the primary reason for organizing the meeting was to enlighten the youth engaged in the Okada business on the importance of adhering to road regulations and maintaining a safe and responsible lifestyle.
He expressed concerns about the attitude and lifestyle of some Okada riders, who often flout road regulations and engage in substance abuse, such as weed, red, super glue, alcohol, and other drugs, which poses risks to themselves and others. The MCE emphasized that such behavior would not only harm the riders but also tarnish the image of the business.
Hon. Rev Atta Mensah promised to collaborate with the MTTD department of the Ghana Police Service to enforce road rules and make the business safer and more attractive. He assured the riders that the municipal assembly would work closely with the stakeholders to ensure that the tricycle business operates in a manner that is beneficial to both the riders and the community.
The meeting provided a platform for the riders to engage with the authorities and discuss ways to improve their business while promoting road safety and responsible behavior.
The government’s plan to legalize the Okada business is expected to create employment opportunities for the youth, and the Effutu Municipal Assembly is taking proactive steps to ensure that the business is operated in a safe and responsible manner.
The meeting was a step towards creating a better understanding between the authorities and the riders, and it is expected that the collaboration will lead to a more organized and safer tricycle business in the constituency.
The District Manager of the DVLA office in Effutu, Mr. Roland Coffie Dorkenoo, has provided crucial information to Okada riders in the area about the licensing requirements for operating in the industry.
According to Mr. Dorkenoo, every Okada rider must possess a driving license A to legally operate in the business. He clarified that driving licenses B, C, D, and F are designated for driving cars, while license E is required for operating heavy machinery in the mining and agricultural sectors.
Mr. Dorkenoo also highlighted the age requirements for riding a motorbike and engaging in the Okada business. While individuals can obtain a license to ride a motorbike at the age of 18, they must be at least 25 years old to operate in the Okada business. This distinction emphasizes the importance of maturity and responsibility in commercial riding.
By educating Okada riders about the necessary licenses and regulations, Mr. Dorkenoo aims to promote compliance and road safety within the industry. This initiative aligns with efforts to professionalize the Okada business and ensure that operators are qualified and accountable.
