NO VEST NO OKADA RIDE: Esewezie Inaugurates Enforcement Taskforce

Determined to ensure strict compliance with the ‘No Vest No Ride’ rule of the Oshimili North local governnent for commercial motorcyclists in Ibusa, aimed at giving effect to ‘Operation Know Your Okada Rider’, the Council Chairman, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, on Monday, at Akwukwu-Igbo, inaugurated a 30-man Taskforce to enforce the rule.

The Taskforce is expected to operate for five months within which enough consciousness would have been established on the ‘Operation Know Your Okada Rider’ project.

Addressing the Taskforce members, drawn from the okada riders union, Ibusa community police, Anti-cult group and peace ambassadors, Hon Esewezie emphasized the seriousness attached to the assignment and warned against sharp practices, especially extortion of would be offenders.

He stated that the unveiling of the Taskforce marked a turning point in the history of the Ibusa community, as the members had been chosen to contribute towards finding solution to the intractable security challenges plaguing the country.

The local governnent helmsman charged the Taskforce to exercise caution and restraint in the discharge of its duties, adding that it should work in synergy with the police to make Ibusa and Oshimili North in general safe from the nefarious activities of criminal elements operating under the guise of okada riders.

Hon Esewezie explained that aside enforcing compliance with the ‘No Vest No Ride’ rule, the Taskforce members should also monitor the infiltration of strangers into the community, stressing that the security of lives and property was a collective responsibility.

He assured the Taskforce members of the support of the local governnent.

In his remarks, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ibusa Division, SP Obioji Chidi, urged the Taskforce members not to take the law into their hands, insisting that they must work in collaboration with the police to achieve set goals.

Responding on behalf of the Taskforce, its Chairman, Mr Ifeanyi Eze, and co-Chairman, Mr Joseph Okolie, thanked the Oshimili North Council Chairman for the opportunity given them to serve and assured him that nothing would be left to chance in the enforcement of the order.