Chief Executive of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has confirmed that plans are underway to amend the Roads Act to facilitate the legalisation of commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as “Okada.”
Speaking on JoyNews The Pulse on Monday, March 10, he explained that the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) meant to legalise Okada was previously withdrawn from Parliament due to concerns over siren usage by Members of Parliament.
However, he stated that the law is being reviewed and will soon be reintroduced to Parliament for approval, after which the legalisation process will commence.
“There’s going to be an amendment to the Roads Act,” Mr Amaliba stated.
As part of efforts to ensure a smooth transition, the NRSA CEO stated that a delegation recently returned from Rwanda, where they studied best practices regarding motorcycle transport.
Mr Amaliba revealed that he will meet with executives of Okada rider associations, tricycle operators, and other stakeholders to initiate discussions on implementing regulations.
Beyond legislative amendments, he stated that the NRSA plans to engage with stakeholders to gather further insights.
Addressing concerns about potential road safety risks, Mr. Amaliba stated that strict enforcement of traffic laws will be crucial.
He urged the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to clamp down on reckless riders, citing Rwanda’s success in regulating the industry through law enforcement.
“I call on the MTTD to crack down on miscreants. We realised that the enforcement of the laws contributed to the smooth running of the Okada business in Rwanda.”
He highlighted the role of technology in improving road safety, noting that the introduction of traffic cameras in Ghana aligns with Rwanda’s model, where offenders are easily identified.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of safety gear, pointing out that in Rwanda, both riders and passengers wear helmets and reflective jackets for easy identification.
“So these best practices, when we implement them here, will go a long way to reduce the accidents that we are talking about. We are equipped to deal with the situation with the assistance of the MTTD,” he added.
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