Crushed motorbikes

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA—THE recent ban on commercial motorcycle operations in some parts of Anambra state, including the commercial city of Onitsha and Awka capital territory by the state government appeared to have hit the target as armed robbery activities and snatching of  hand bags have been reduced drastically.

Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Uchenna Okafor who disclosed this yesterday when he paid an unscheduled official visit to the traders at the Nkpor New Auto Spare parts market, Idemili North Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction that the people in the state can now sleep with their two eyes closed.

According to Okafor, “most of the robbery incidents in the state are being facilitated with motorcycles and since  the ban was announced by Governor Willie Obiano himself, crimes especially armed robbery, kidnapping and hand bag snatching have drastically reduced.

The Commissioner who commended Obiano for having the political will to make the pronouncement, further disclosed that most of the criminals operating with motorcycles were being sponsored by wealthy and influential criminal elements.

He stated that in line with the governor’s fight against armed robbery, some flash points were being converted to decent modern motor parks with street lights, aimed at chasing away criminals from such flash points in the state.

He used the visit to formally inform the spare parts dealers that government has decided to acquire the empty plots of land belonging to market for conversion into a decent modern motor park that will flush out criminals and at the same time, generate internal revenue for both the government and the traders.