Okada riders to be given uniforms after legalization; trackers will be introduced – NRSA Boss
Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) Abraham Amaliba has outlined a number of measures to be instituted by government should Parliament approve the legalization of ‘Okada’.
A 13-member committee has been established by the transport minister to review Section 128 (1), (2), and (3) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180) to allow for the legalization and commercialization of motorcycles and tricycles.
The Committee will submit its work to Parliament after the review.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, March 23, 2025, Mr. Amaliba disclosed that after legalization, these riders will be given a specific uniform and reflectors for identification.
He said the NRSA will also provide road safety education for these riders to ensure that there’s no reckless riding, stating that after all these measures are put in place, riders who will violate the regulation will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“They are going to be given uniforms to identify them, we will give them reflectors then we will prescribe the type of helmet that they will be wearing then the people they pick will also wear same helmet.
“The DVLA will give them special number plates and licensing. Then the police will enforce the law,” he said.
Abraham Amaliba further revealed government’s plans to introduce speed limit gadgets and trackers in motorcycles to monitor movements once their operations are legalized.
“We are also going to provide them with speed limits. There will be gadgets in their motors which will stop them with over speeding. Then also there will be a tracker in each motorbike.
“So as you move, wherever your motorbike is going, there is computer monitoring you and your movement,” he added.
He stated that a private IT firm will be responsible for ensuring that the IT measures are in place.
He stressed that ‘Okada’ riders per the legalization will be required to affiliate with a union before registration will be allowed.
This, he said will allow authorities to easily identify crimes associated with ‘Okada’ riders.