Transport Ministry Sets Up Committee to Review Okada Ban for Commercial Use

The Ministry of Transport has established a 13-member inter-agency committee tasked with reviewing the ban on the use of motorcycles, commonly known as “okadas,” for commercial purposes.

The committee has been given a three-week deadline to assess and provide recommendations on aspects of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180) that currently prohibit the commercial use of motorcycles in the country.

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe announced the formation of the committee during its inauguration on Tuesday, March 18.

He explained that this move is in line with the previous government’s efforts to legalize the use of motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes.

“We want them to use motorcycles and tricycles for commercial purposes, and exactly that is what we’re doing. We are looking within a period of three weeks for them to do all the stakeholder consultations,” Nikpe stated.

The committee will work with various stakeholders, including motorbike riders, regulators, and transport associations, to gather opinions and insights on how to safely incorporate okadas and tricycles into the formal transportation sector.

The goal is to create a regulatory framework that enables individuals, especially young people, to engage in commercial motorcycle and tricycle transport legally, providing them with an avenue for livelihood while ensuring safety on the roads.

Minister Nikpe further emphasized that the committee’s recommendations will be used to amend L.I. 2180, which will pave the way for broader acceptance and regulation of okadas for commercial use.

The review comes at a time when the commercial motorcycle sector has grown rapidly, with many individuals relying on okadas for transport services.

However, the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes has raised safety concerns, with authorities aiming to strike a balance between allowing economic opportunities and ensuring road safety.

The Ministry of Transport’s initiative is seen as a step towards formalizing the okada industry, which has long existed in the informal sector, and providing a more regulated, safer environment for both operators and passengers.