Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The House of Representatives has raised concern over the proposed ban of motorcycles nationwide in order to curtail the activities of bandits and terrorists who use it to enhance their logistics during their operations.

While raising a motion during plenary on Tuesday, the lawmaker, representing Malam-Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency, Jigawa State, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yallemen noted that the proposed ban of motorcycles across the country is aimed at cutting the supply of logistics to the terrorists in the country as disclosed by the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN on July 21, 2022 while addressing journalists.

Hon. Yallemen in the motion noted that the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government as clearly provided in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He was concerned that the activities of bandits and kidnappings across the country have subjected members of victims’ families to serious psychological trauma even as they are forced to part with their hard-earned money.

The lawmaker posited that while banning commercial motorcycle operations across the country as a means of curtailing security challenges, the welfare and well-being of the citizenry should be considered foremost, as the Federal Government has not offered palliatives measures to cushion the expected effects of the ban.

He said that the proposed ban on motorcycle operations will render millions of Nigerians jobless, which could be catastrophic for a nation grappling with high unemployment and poverty rates. He added that the ban will inflict untold hardships on the generality of Nigerians as it is a common means of transportation among the citizenry, and may provide the terrorists with a pool of desperate youths to recruit

According to him, putting a sizable number of the population out of work will only aggravate the security challenges in the country.

The House, while commending the significant progress made by the Federal Government in tackling insecurity in the country as well as addressing corruption; resolved to urge the Federal Government to halt the proposed nationwide ban on Commercial Motorcycles and ensure that adequate palliative measures are put in place before such decisions are implemented.

The House also urged the Federal Government to restrict the proposed ban to the local government areas where the mining activities or banditry/terrorist activities take place and mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.