Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has distributed 185 motorcycles at the cost of N25 million to Joint Commercial Motorcycle Riders under the state N50 million revolving micro credit scheme.

Performing the ceremony at the open field of the Government House, Ilorin ,on Wednesday, the governor explained that the N25 million empowerment scheme for commercial motorcycle riders was part of the life transforming programmes by the current administration in nearly four years.

He recalled that his administration flagged off entrepreneurship scheme in 2012 with the disbursement of N250 million through cooperatives and subsequent launched of the first phase of the provision of 100 cars to transporters last year as well as another 50 cars this year to enhance the material wellbeing of the greatest number of the people.

The governor recalled that in 2013, the government harmonised Okada groups spread across the state into seven bodies for easy management and security, describing Okada riders in the state as more matured, organised and law-abiding

Governor Ahmed ,therefore, congratulated the beneficiaries for joining the league of 50, 000 small business owners whose lives had been positively transformed by the administration and promised to do more if re-elected.

He also called on all eligible voters of the state to come out en mass on Saturday and on April 11 to vote for progress, prosperity and security, pointing out that the Army and other security agents deployed to the state were to ensure the security of lives and property.

In his remarks, the state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Faruk Akanbi ,said the event had proved the rumour of possible ban on Okada wrong in the state and assured that the labour movement would support the re-election of Governor Ahmed in view of his labour friendly programmes in the state.

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Bisi Fakayode and the Special Adviser on Transport and Utility, Alhaji Yekini Ilobu maintained that the initiative would continue to boost the morale and trust of Okada riders and also boost the socio-economic situation of the state.

Responding, the State President, Joint Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association, Alhaji Abdulraheem Saikano thanked the State Governor for his various interventions and promised the support of all Okada riders to the APC and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s re-election bid.