Government Cracks Down on Road Safety with New Okada Law
Government will enforce stricter road traffic regulations following the passage of the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, 2025, which seeks to legalise the commercial operation of ‘Okada’ – quadricycles, tricycles and motorcycles – pending presidential assent.
Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, announced this in Parliament Wednesday, December 10, stating that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) will ramp up enforcement efforts to ensure public safety once the law takes effect.
A key change under the new law involves lowering the permissible alcohol concentration for drivers. “We have noticed, of late, the behaviour of drivers on our roads, and the road accidents that lead to injuries and deaths,” the Minister explained. “We believe the previous alcohol concentration limit influenced drivers. So we brought it down from 0.08% to 0.05%.”
The amendment also addresses age restrictions for commercial riders. Previously, individuals needed to be 25 years or older to engage in commercial motorcycle riding. The revised bill allows those 21 years and above to participate. “A lot of our youth who had an interest in engaging in commercial driving or riding had issues with the age requirement,” Mr. Nikpe said.
However, the Minister stressed that Okada riders will face strict regulations. “You have to register as a commercial motor rider, belong to a union, and meet the DVLA standards for protective gear, including helmets, and the quality of motorbike used,” he detailed. He further emphasised the importance of responsibility.
“You are going to carry people behind you. You have to respect yourself and respect your passengers to remain in business,” Mr. Nikpe stated. “The law prescribes punishment for road traffic offenders, including Okada riders.”
Looking ahead, the government is exploring potential road infrastructure improvements to accommodate Okada riders, including the possibility of dedicated lanes. “Whether we create special lanes or not, discipline is key. We now have a legal framework that will bind them and allow for punishment,” he added.
On a separate note, the Minister highlighted the positive progress of the recently launched peak-hour bus initiative, designed to alleviate the challenges faced by commuters. “The briefs I got yesterday and today show that it is going well, and we are assisting commuters to get home safely after work,” he shared. “We are still adding to the fleet as we mobilise resources, with the goal of eliminating stranded passengers.”
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