The Ekiti State Government has directed all commercial motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle operators to complete biometric registration before July 18 as part of efforts to improve security and regulate public transportation.
The directive was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado-Ekiti by the Commissioner for Transportation, Kehinde Ajobiewe.
He said the registration exercise will begin on July 6 and run until July 18. The exercise will take place at offices of the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Operators will be screened and issued government-approved riding permits after completing the registration.
Ajobiewe warned that any operator who fails to register before the deadline will face sanctions under the state’s transportation laws.
He said the exercise is aimed at creating a reliable database of all commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators.
According to him, the database will help security agencies identify legitimate riders and tackle crimes linked to unregistered operators.
The commissioner added that the initiative will also improve transport planning, service delivery and operator welfare.
He stressed that the registration is not meant to punish operators but to protect both riders and commuters.
Ajobiewe assured that the Ministry of Transportation would ensure a smooth registration process and issue valid permits to qualified operators.
Leaders of the Okada Riders Association and the Tricycle Operators Association attended the meeting and were urged to mobilise their members for full compliance.
Representatives of the police, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and senior ministry officials also attended the meeting.
The government said the registration exercise is a key part of its efforts to strengthen security and maintain an orderly transport system across Ekiti State.
