https://www.myjoyonline.com/government-is-in-disarray-on-legalisation-of-okada-minority-jabs-bawumia/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/government-is-in-disarray-on-legalisation-of-okada-minority-jabs-bawumia/

The Minority has said government is confused about its stance regarding the legalisation of the commercial motorbike business popularly known as 'Okada'.

Kwame Agbodza Governs said the Akufo-Addo-led administration is disoriented about what to do with the trade which is gradually catching on with a section of the Ghanaian public.

"We are witnessing a government in total disarray. The left doesn't know what the right is doing," the Adaklu MP said on Top Story, Wednesday.

His comments come on the back of a statement by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that the NPP government will not legalise the business citing the risk involved as a major factor.

This comes weeks after Transport Minister, Kwasi Ofori Asiamah spoke about the resumption of stakeholder consultations in October 2020, to decide on whether to review the law banning the commercial use of motorcycles or implement it.

The Minister was responding to revelation by NDC flagbearer John Mahama that his party will legalise the trade if given the nod in the December polls.

Section 128 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180), states, “The licensing authority shall not register a motorcycle to carry a fare-paying passenger.”

But speaking at the signing of an MoU between VW and BlackIvy on Wednesday, Dr Bawumia promised alternatives such as instituting frameworks that will allow the riders to lease or buy cars to indulge in what he says is a much ‘safer’ trader.

“Their [Okada riders] problem will be the lack of capital but if they [Transport Sector Recapitalisation Project] bring in new leasing policies and we have our national ID card with our digital addresses and so on, we can have a credit system working and give you an option other than this risky venture,” the Vice President said.

The comment has already been met with varied reactions from the general public with many questioning the timing of the decision when the Transport Ministry had created the impression that the business might soon be legalised.

Minority spokesperson on Parliament's Transport Committee said it is 'ridiculous' adding that the Vice President is undermining the powers of the sector minister.

"This is a government that cannot gel together. The Transport Minister is taking a position from Cabinet and implementing it at the Ministry. The Vice President is also talking by himself at Fila FM in Tamale and decided that he is going to stick to his guns and undermine his minister?" he quizzed.

The MP wants government to be cited for causing financial loss to the state if it indeed began consultations having in mind that it would not follow it through with legalisation.

"If you hear the Vice President declaring today that they are not going to do it, then does that suggest that government knew all along that they were not going to do it yet they were just wasting money.

"I think somebody in the future may have to be cited for woefully causing woeful financial loss of the state and the Vice President could be a candidate for that," he said.

He added that the Vice President is detached form the situation of the people for which reason he is recommending the enumerated alternative.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.



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