As the stay at home order by the Delta State Government enters its second day, residents of Ughelli metropolis and environs have been stranded as security men enforcing the order took advantage of the situation by using their motorcycles to engage in ‘okada’ business.
Residents who lamented the situation said they walked long distances to the designated areas to get food stuffs and other essential commodities.
They appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Godwin Adode to allow motorcycles to operate as many residents come from afar to the designated markets.
According to Mrs Mary Omoghene, “I took a motorcycle from my house on my way to a designated market situated at the primary school, but getting to a checkpoint mounted by security agents enforcing the stay at home order, they asked me to come down and impounded the motorcycle immediately while one of the men was asked to take it the police station.”
She said even when they took the bike to the station; some of their colleagues were busy carrying passengers especially the vigilantes claiming they are monitoring the compliance order.
On his part, a stranded resident Mr. Friday Uko frowned at the situation in Ughelli stating that government shouldn’t have allowed businesses to operate in the name of essential duty when the means by residents to get what they want is not there.
“What is the difference between the security men using their okada to carry people to and fro for money and the other okada riders,” Uko queried.
He appealed to government and those concern to look into the issue stressing that what matters most in this proactive measure is not the sit at home but closing of all boarders including international, Inter States, and Local government areas to avoid coming in and going out.
