Ogun to take biometric data of commercial motor drivers, 'okada' riders

Gov Dapo Abiodun 

Ogun State government is set to take biometric data of all commercial motor drivers and  motorcycle riders operating in the state, as part of measures to bring sanity and safety to its transportation sector.

According to a press release signed by the Press Officer in the Ministry of Transportation, Wale Olanrewaju, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Engineer Gbenga Dairo, made this disclosure at a separate meeting held with leadership and representatives of Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN) and Three Wheelers Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (TWORAN) in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The commissioner emphasized the need for biometric data capturing of all riders and drivers, as it will help government in its plans towards repositioning the transport sector.

Engineer Dairo said the exercise, which avails the state government the means of having accurate data of riders and drivers, is also aimed at capturing fingerprints of individual rider and driver for easy identification, monitoring of activities and possible tracking in case the need arise for it, stressing that the exercise shall help nip in the bud crimes associated with commercial transportation in the state.

He however disclosed that government frowns at reckless riding, violation of traffic rules and flagrant disregard for traffic lights, warning that such acts would no longer be treated with kid gloves as violators would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Great Achiever Magazine reports that Dairo charged the Union leaders to cooperate with his ministry in efforts at developing a roadmap for a better organized and robust transport sector, where safety and general interest of passengers are made supreme above individual selfish interests that have left negative attendant effects in the sector.

He reiterated government's resolve to make transport affordable, accessible, safe and attractive through regulations and policies of international standard, saying that the era of exploitation, harassment, thuggery and other acts capable of making life difficult for passengers is over in the state.

In his remark, the State Chairman of AMORAN, Comrade Nurudeen Alowonle, commended the state government for the creation of Transportation Ministry, promising that AMORAN and other sister associations would abide by the rules of engagement and also cooperate with the state government towards achieving its set goals in the transport sector.