Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.
The North East Youth Transformation Forum (NEYTF) has warned the Federal Government that prohibiting motorcycles as a mode of transportation will result in the loss of 98 million youth jobs.
The pressure group stated in a statement issued in Gombe that the majority of youths across the country rely on motorcycles to keep their body and soul together in the face of severe economic hardship.
The Federal Government is considering a ban on Okada as part of security measures, according to Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.
The decision, according to the group’s president, Comrade Abdulrazak Albani, will cause hardship for 98 million Nigerians.
According to him, approximately 98 million people, or nearly half of the country’s population, live in abject poverty and lack access to transportation, and the Okada ban will make them even more vulnerable and miserable.
He claims that, in addition to making transportation difficult for the poor, the decision will result in job losses for commercial motorcycle riders and an increase in societal crime rates.
“The country’s population has surpassed 200 million, and UNDP data show that 98 million people, or nearly half of the population, are poor.” These people can’t even afford three square meals a day, let alone own a car.
“As a result, the ban on motorcycle operations will exacerbate their problems and cause many people to lose their jobs.”
“As a result, we urge our senators, House members, governors, traditional and religious leaders, and others to persuade the federal government to reverse this decision,” he said.
