The Abia State Government has announced plans to commence the compulsory registration of all motorcycles operating within the state as part of efforts to strengthen security and improve monitoring of motorcycle activities.
The government also unveiled a colour-coded identification system that will require all registered motorcycle riders to wear reflective jackets corresponding to their senatorial districts.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Umuahia.
He said the initiative followed the commencement of the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in designated parts of Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia, which took effect on Monday.
According to Kanu, all motorcycles operating in the state, including those used for private, commercial, courier and delivery purposes, must be registered with the government.
He, however, stressed that motorcycles approved for courier and delivery services would be prohibited from carrying passengers.
"As part of the registration process, the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue will maintain a comprehensive database of all motorcycle operators in the state. Riders will also be issued colour-coded reflective jackets based on their senatorial districts and assigned unique local government identification numbers," he said.
The commissioner added that there would be no exemption from the directive, noting that all registered riders would be required to wear the approved reflective jackets once they become available.
He further disclosed that the Abia State Harmonised Task Force, working in collaboration with security agencies, had been mandated to enforce compliance with the new regulations and the existing ban on commercial motorcycle operations in restricted areas.
Kanu warned that any motorcycle operator found violating the directive would have the motorcycle impounded and face a penalty of N50,000 payable within 30 days.
To facilitate enforcement, he said the government had established designated loading bays in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia where impounded motorcycles would be kept.
The commissioner explained that the policy was aimed at enhancing public safety and addressing security concerns associated with the use of motorcycles in urban centres.
While acknowledging that the measure could cause temporary inconvenience, he maintained that the government was acting in the best interest of residents.
"The safety and security of Abians remain our top priority. Government is already considering alternative transportation arrangements to reduce the impact of the ban on commuters and affected operators," he said.
Kanu also revealed that details of the affected routes would be made public through the media and transport unions, while an extensive public enlightenment campaign would be launched to educate residents on the policy.
Speaking on the security implications of the initiative, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Navy Commander MacDonald Uba, said the registration and identification system would improve accountability and make it easier for security agencies to track motorcycle operators.
He urged residents to support the policy, describing it as a proactive measure by the administration of Governor Alex Otti to prevent the security challenges experienced in some parts of the country from spreading to Abia State.
"The primary duty of government is to protect lives and property. We ask residents to cooperate with government and see the policy as a necessary step towards ensuring lasting security," Uba said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the decision to restrict commercial motorcycle operations was informed solely by security considerations.
He noted that motorcycle restrictions were not unprecedented in the state, recalling that a similar policy had been implemented during the administration of former Governor Theodore Orji.
Ekeoma maintained that the current measure formed part of the Otti administration's broader efforts to strengthen security and safeguard residents across the state.
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