Quadricycles gov’t purchased to replace “okada” motorbikes during the 2020 Election remain unused and packed at the AMA office after 5 months
President Akufo-Addo in the lead-up to the election together with his party, the New Patriotic Party promised to phase out “okada” motorbikes if their mandate was renewed.
The promise came as a result of a popular manifesto promise made by opposition leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) former President Mahama promising to regulate the commercial use of motorbikes aka “Okada”.
The NPP argued that the regulation of the “Okada” business will do more harm than good especially when the safety of the passengers and the riders cannot be guaranteed.
They promised to phase out the “Okada” business by introducing the Quadricycles and training riders to forego the risky commercial use of motorbikes. They articulated that the use of the quadricycles will provide both passengers and drivers comfort and also ensure their safety.
The Coastal Development Authority designed the CODA Drive initiative to eradicate poverty and create wealth for commercial drivers, okada, and Pragya riders.
In an interview with the media on Saturday, November 28, 2020, to outdoor some vehicles, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Jerry Ahmed Shaib explained that under the CODA Drive intervention, CODA will offer Bajaj Qute four-passenger quadricycles to drivers and okada riders on hire-purchase for use as public transport.
Well, 5 months after thousands of these quadricycles were purchased, they are still packed at the office of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Nobody knows when these quadricycles will be given to these “Okada” riders so to honour the promise the government made to the good people of Ghana.
Are the “Okada” riders being trained to be given the quadricycles?
Why are the quadricycles still packed at the AMA office while the “Okada” business has still not been phased out?
When should Ghanaians expect to see these quadricycles on our roads while the commercial use of motorbikes is gradually done away with?
Taxpayers monies must provide value to the taxpayer.
