11th March, 2013
No fewer than 200 commercial motorcycles have been impounded by the Delta State Government for operating in the state in defiance of the law banning them.
The motorcycles, popularly known as “okada”, were rounded up in Asaba between November 2012 and March 7.
Mr. Benson Igbakpa, the Commissioner in charge of the Directorate of Transport, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba that the offence attracted a fine of N10,000 each.
Delta government had in June 2012, announced the ban on commercial motorcycle operation in major towns, including Asaba, Warri and Effurun, with effect from 1 November, 2012
The commissioner said that between July 2012 and March, 595 vehicles were impounded for various traffic offences in Asaba.
He disclosed further that officials of the directorate impounded 904 commercial vehicles, comprising cars, buses and tricycles for parking at unauthorised places during the period.
He revealed that 80 of the vehicles had been released to their owners, adding that 72 of them were impounded for illegal parking.
“We have, during the period, impounded 157 vehicles for not carrying the state’s commercial