The next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will in addition to the legalization of motorcycles for commercial purposes popularly known as Okada, provide motorcycles for the operators on hire purchase. This is according to the Flagbearer of the party for the 2020 elections, John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing party’s supporters at Kajeji in Sene East District of the Bono East Region, Mr. Mahama announced that his government, if he is elected into office, will procure motorcycles for operators of the ‘Okada’ business. The operators, he explained, will pay for the vehicles in installments so as to enable those will not be able to make outright purchase to buy the motorcycles for their operations.
Mr. Mahama’s latest promise to procure motorcycles for Okada operators on hire purchase comes a day after the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stated firmly that the Akufo-Addo government will not legalize ‘Okada’ operations which the Vice President described as risky.
Dr. Bawumia who was speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between Volkswagon and Black Ivy for the production of affordable vehicles and housings for Ghanaians assured the Okada operators of a policy that will enable them procure cars on lease basis as well as through credit systems for a ‘safer’ business.
But reiterating his promise to legalize the Okada business, if he is given the mandate to return to the presidency, the former president stated that his future government will facilitate the operators of the motorcycle transport business to purchase motorcycles and pay on installment basis for their operations.
“If we are elected into office, we will review the law to make Okada operations legal. So that police will not disrupt your business. We will also procure motorcycles for you on hire purchase. So that you will pay for them in installment and when you finish with the payment, it will be yours,” he told cheering party supporters.
This latest promise by the flag bearer of NDC is however not captured in the party’s 2020 manifesto. The 2020 manifesto of the NDC dubbed ‘People’s Manifesto’ stated that the party will “legalize the use of commercial motorbikes known as ‘Okada’ and tricycles and regulate the industry to make it safe for riders; training the riders, ensuring they observe the necessary safety precautions and mandating them to provide helmets for their passengers.”
Clarifying the absence of the latest promise in the manifesto of the party in an interview on Accra based Joy FM, Member of Parliament for Adaklu Constituency, Kwame Governs Agbodza said “if you were to write everything in terms of a manifesto, you will have many pages of a manifesto. The manifesto basically outlines the policy direction of the party on a particular issue. Former President Mahama is providing further details on how to make these (motorbikes) available them. Former president Mahama was basically encouraging the “Okada” people that apart from legalization, we will make (the motorcycles) available to you (the riders)”.
Mr. Agbodza dismissed suggestions that the latest pledge by his party’s Presidential candidate is an afterthought.
