Joseph Bukari Nikpe (in smock), Minister of Transport, interacting with some staff of the DVLA during the visit to the authority
Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has directed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to commence the process for the registration and licensing of motorbikes, also known as ‘Okada’ in Ghana for commercial use in the country with immediate effect.
He said the legalisation of motorbikes for commercial use would ensure that motorbike riders strictly adhered to road safety regulations to help reduce motorbike-related crashes and deaths.
Nikpe, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Saboba, said legalising the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes, known locally as ‘Okada’, would help to reduce indiscipline on the roads.
According to the Graphic, Nikpe gave the directive on his first day at work, which saw him pay a working visit to the DVLA and other agencies under the Transport Ministry.
Commitment
In an interview with Journalists after a closed-door meeting with the top management of DVLA, Nikpe said he had asked the authority to start working on the registration and licensing of motorbikes and motorbike riders as a matter of urgency.
“We are committed to seeing to it that there is a revision of the law to allow the okada riders to operate commercially. It is on that line that I came to sit with the DVLA management so that we see how we work towards achieving that campaign promise”.
“We want to ensure that our brothers who are in the okada business will have their own licences and be well trained to be able to transport passengers on our roads,” Nikpe added.
The Transport Minister also said it was expected that significant progress would be made for the legalisation of okada by the end of the first quarter of this year.
Decongestion
As one of the steps to make the roads safer and more robust, the minister said he intended to decongest the sector by enhancing the rails, air transport and ports to ease the pressure on the roads.
He said once the 15 agencies were fully operationalised and fit for purpose, there would be less pressure on the roads to facilitate businesses and reduce travel time.
“This calls for proper coordination with all the 15 agencies, to avoid overlaps and duplication of responsibilities.
“We need a transport sector that befits the people of Ghana. We must put aside party politics and work hard to build the Ghana that we want,” he said. – G
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