The Cross River State 10th House of Assembly has urged the State Governor Senator Bassey Otu to constitute the Motorcycle Monitoring Agency which is empowered to implement the provisions of Law No. 7 of 2005.
The Lawmakers adopted the resolution after the conclusion of debate on a motion raised by the member representing Bakassi State Constituency, Hon. Eyo Bassey Edet.
Edet informed the House that despite the ban earlier imposed on commercial motorcycles, they are still operating along major routes like the Murtala Mohamed Highway and Marian Road.
The Lawmaker recalled that in 2005, the administration of former Governor Donald Duke had given assent to Law No 7 of 2005 which amongst other provisions placed a ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles along major routes in Calabar metropolis and also recommended the inauguration of the Motorcycle Monitoring Agency.
According to the Law, the Agency is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the operators of commercial motorcycles.
He argued that the presence of commercial motorcycles on major roads in the metropolis is inimical to road safety and peace as some criminal elements use the motorcycles for criminal activities including armed robbery and kidnapping.
Addressing the matter, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem expressed dismay over the use of motorcycles for criminal activities and emphasized the need for the regulation of motorcycles within the metropolis to curb accidents and crime.
Members in their different contributions frowned at the unwholesome behavior of some commercial motorcyclists and agreed that the matter deserves the urgent attention of the Government.
By Mary Bassey, House of Assembly Correspondent
