The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ogun State Chapter on Monday organized a day seminar for commercial motorcyclists’ operators, popularly called Okada riders on safety tips and relationship with stakeholders on the road.
Penpushing reports that, the seminar held under the bridge located in Iyana mortuary area of Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital was initiated by the Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC), Kemta Idi-Aba division and powered by Sam Ewang abd Surulere Parapo units.
The Chairman of the Committee in the State, Samson Popoola while addressing the participants pointed out that security should be watchword for them during their operations, which he noted will pave way for peace.
Penpushing further reports that, Popoola accompanied by number of other executive officers of the committee, emphasised need for the Okada operators to adhered strictly to the traffic rules and religiously put on their helmets
The committee boss stated that, there must be harmonious relationship between the commercial motorcyclists and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), as well as the police, adding that with this compliance of traffic rules will be the order of the day.
Penpushing also reports that, Popoola suggested for leadership of the Okada operators on the need to introduce uniform for them, so that it would bring sanity to their operations, and proper identification to ease out suspected criminals among them.
The chairman charged them to avoid overloading when carrying passengers to their various destinations, noting that overloading of passengers was a contributing factor to incessant road crashes, which must be averted.
Penpushing reports that, he called on them to always relate with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) at all time to discuss their challenges and find solutions for such, adding that, no doubt their operation is tasking.
The Deputy Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Abeokuta Metro Area Command, Engr Ademola Agboola in his own remarks, called on the participants to always be security conscious when they carry passengers
Penpushing further reports that, Agboola said findings have showed that some passengers are of dubious characters, hence, need for the commercial motorcyclists operators to be alert at all time, particularly when they convey them(passengers) to any community.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police, who represented the Ogun State Police Command at the seminar, Sherif Balogun in his own submission, tasked the commercial operators on need to adhere strictly to the traffic rules.
Penpushing also reports that, Balogun declared that, any of them who violate the rule will not be spared, but arrested and prosecuted, and therefore encouraged them to be law abiding, and consider safety of all motorists on the road.
The Public Education Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Commander Oluwatoyin Fatoberu in her own contributions advised the motorcyclists to always obey traffic rules, which include avoiding overloading of passengers, use of helmets among others.
Penpushing reports that, Fatoberu ,said the commercial motorcyclists should do away with habits of fighting security agents, when caught violating traffic rules, rather should be civil in their behavior, and also consider other road users, as well as their health
The participants were also offered opportunity to contribute and asked questions relating to their challenges, experiences and observations among others, while facemasks were later distributed to them to enable them to enable them comply with coronavirus protocols.
Penpushing further reports that, a notable official of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE), Commander, Olabode Abdul , who is the Area Commander Training and Public Education of the agency was also in attendance
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