The Kwara State House of Assembly has okayed the ban of commercial motorcyclist on some major streets in Ilorin metropolis, ahead of the passage of the bill forwarded to it by the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

During Wednesday’s plenary, the lawmakers argued in support of the bill, stressing that the ban would help to sanitize operation of okada riders in Ilorin.

Leading the debate, the majority leader, Hon. Abdulganiyu Abdulkareem, described the bill as timely in view of the havoc being caused by some okada riders in the state.

He called on members to support the bill to ensure its timely passage.

Contributing, a member representing Ekiti constituency, Hon. Ebun Owolabi said she has been the victim of evil activities of motorcyclists.

Hon. Owolabi said although motorcycle serves as a means of livelihood, untold hardship being caused by its operation must be looked into. She also called for the inclusion of unity road into the prohibited areas.

To Hon. Adamu Sabi of Okuta/Yashikira constituency, most of the accidents on the streets these days can be attributable to the operations of motorcycles.

The lawmaker appealed to the state government to reduce the cost of tricycle to make it affordable, describing its introduction as a good alternative.

On his part, a member representing Esa/Shawo/Igboidun constituency, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke, banning of okada in some business routes was in line with national and international best practices.

Hon. Oyeleke urged affected people not to be emotional because other states in the country have successfully banned operations of okada in the major streets.

Also speaking, Hajia Nimota Ibrahim of Ilorin East Constituency spoke against the operation of tricycle on the highways, describing it as dangerous because of its fragile in nature.

She called for urgent need to include some other notable streets in the list of business routes.

Barrister Kamaldeen Fagbemi of Oke-Ogun constituency stressed the need for legislature to call on executive to ensure proper implementation of the bill if passed into law.

Hon. Tope Olayonu who represents Ojomu/Balogun constituency commended the state government for the move.

Hon. Olayonu however described operation of motorcycles as supplement to the problem of unemployment and access to some areas where there is no good road networks.

Other members, who spoke in favour of the bill, said it will bring about sanity on the road as well as reducing the crime rates.

The speaker, Barrister Razak Atunwa later ordered the clerk to read the bill for second time and referred it to house committees on Energy, Works and Transport and Rules and Business for further legislative action.