The Ekiti State Government is set to spend an estimated N61.18m to produce 12,000 reflective jackets and permits for commercial motorcycles and tricycles.
The State Commissioner for Information and Value Orientation, Taiwo Olatunbosun disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing the press in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Olatunbosun noted that the development is part of the efforts by the state government to curb insecurity and standardise their operations in the state, giving rise to the upsurge of criminal activities by some motorcycle operators in the state.
The Chairperson of the Motorcycle Association, Kunle Asaolu once raised the alarm over the situation to the state police authorities, noting that no fewer than 23 of its members had been killed by armed men in the state.
The situation, consequently, led the State Executive Council to seek passage into law, a bill regulating the activities of motorcyclists in the state.
Addressing the press, Olatunbosun said that the reflective jackets and permits would be issued to aid law enforcement in tracking and regulating operators while ensuring that only authorised individuals are allowed to operate in the state.
He said: “To achieve this, the state government aims to conduct an enumeration of all operators to develop a comprehensive database. The government is fully committed to the safety and general well-being of people in the state and has been closely monitoring commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators towards enhancing security in the state.
“The job would be executed in line with Direct Procurement Method by Temple SYC Inspection Limited, who has a proven track record in the state and has been managing revenue collection for road worthiness for the state government.
“It was considered an advantage to utilise its existing system in generating a comprehensive database for the State”.