By DANIEL IDONOR, Abuja
THE Federal Government yesterday said it has no immediate plans to outlaw the use of commercial motorcycles aka okada nationwide as was claimed by an agency of government, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA.

Minister of Environment, Hadiza Mailafia, told State House Correspondents in Abuja that no decision has been taken on the matter.

She was reacting to news reports emanating from NESREA which is an agency under her Ministry that suggested that the use of motorcycles has been ban in an attempt to control pollution. She disclosed that  ”there is no decision so far as far as I am concerned about banning the use of achaba or okada.” Of course, we are concerned about pollution but we have not issued any statement to that effect.”

”The true position is that government is calling on individuals and organizations of the entire polity to take care of their environment by of course, complying with rules and regulations. That doesn’t mean you cannot ride motorcycles,” she said.

She revealed that she did not know how the announcement on the ban came about adding “that’s what I am still trying to find out. I wouldn’t know. There doesn’t seem to be a reason for that anyway.”

The Minister however implored Nigerians to abide by rules and regulations and refrain from actions that unnecessarily lead to pollution of the environment.

Mailafia pointed out that “we have regulations on noise pollution, we have on general pollution, we have on sanitation; any rule that enhances the use of the environment,” stressing that government was particular about pollution when it relates to motorcycle but “we are not saying they cannot use motorcycles or achaba or okada.”

The Minister further said: “But of course, you don’t have to be told that you need to service your motorcycle as and when due and that you don’t need remove the silencer, the exhaust pipe so that you create noise. These are issues that we are concerned with.

”We are not concerned about stopping people from earning a living.”