Ngonadi, who is the managing director of Ngobros and Company, said stated at the weekend that those to be rendered jobless include commercial motorcyclists, motorcycle spare parts dealers, motorcycle importers, and motorcycle components manufacturers.
For that reason, he appealed to governors in the South East that had already banned Okada operation in their states to reconsider their stand, just as he advised those who are still proposing such move to drop the idea in the interest of the people and the country.
He condemned armed robbery and kidnapping by the youths and the use of Okada in some of the robberies, while urging the states to adopt a middle course approach in the fight against the crimes instead of banning Okada operation out right.
"In as much as South East governors want to reduce crime in their state, they should not beam their searchlight only on Okada operators as records have shown that most violent robbery incidents and kidnappings in the recent past are done with exotic cars and sport utility vehicles like Jeep and not Okada," said Ngonadi.
He said that over 1.5 million people in the South East live on Okada and related businesses and that over 150,000 are involved in importing, manufacturing, and selling of Okada and its components.
"In Anambra State alone, more than 300,000 people take care of their families from Okada operation, while over 150, 000 people are in the business of manufacturing, sale and importation of Okada and its components. Thousands support themselves and their families on Okada repair and related services," said Ngonadi.
"Governments in the South East states and Nigeria should understand that there is hardship; no jobs for the secondary school and university leavers. Some students even use Okada business to finance their education and take care of themselves. Banning it will therefore, be counter productive.
"What I think the South Eastern governors should have done is to have separate identities for commercial motorcycle operators and private operators and restrict Okada operators to the local government areas where they are registered. This would help the police and even the Okada operators know when the bad eggs get into their midst from other source," Ngonadi said.
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