The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, led a task force to arrest some commercial motor riders at Kwame Nkrumah Circle on Monday.
Mr. Vanderpuije, who was in the area earlier on Monday to assess preparations ahead of the commissioning of the new Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange by President Mahama, said the action was to send a strong signal to pedestrians and persons who operate in the area, that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), will strictly sanction lawbreakers.
In a video shared by GHOne TV on Facebook, two motor riders were seen on their knees pleading with Mr Vanderpuije to let them off the hook.
According to the Accra MCE, their motor bikes will be seized and they will be prosecuted.
“Last week, we came around and made announcement and informed the general public specifically about activities that will not be acceptable here. Okada bikes, biking just anywhere on the pavement, on the road and everywhere; and then riding the bike on the opposite direction of the traffic. So this [Monday] morning, these bikes were found here. About three or four parked here for Okada activities,” he said.
“Secondly, some bikes riding in the opposite direction. These are the elements we will not accept; they are high levels of indiscipline, and we will not accept that. This is an example of me putting my words into action, that we will not tolerate indiscipline over here,” he added.
According to Oko Vanderpuije, the Police and the AMA task Force will be stationed at vantage points of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, to ensure that all road users and pedestrians comply with the set regulations on safety and order.
Meanwhile the €74 million Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange project, which started some two years ago, is set to be commissioned.
The interchange is expected to address the traffic situation in the area; while saving the country some $25million annually in value of time wasted in traffic.
Okada business is illegal
Per Ghana’s laws, the use of motorbike for commercial purposes is an illegality.
However, the AMA and the police, have both done very little to stop the growing business which is employing many youth not only in the national capital Accra, but other parts of the country.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana