Traders have been heavily hurt by motorcycle bans in various areas, as well as the Federal Government’s threat to outlaw commercial motorbikes, colloquially known as “Okada.”
Motorcycle imports into Nigeria fell by 35.92% in the second quarter of 2022, according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ foreign trade data for the time.Information Guide Nigeria
According to the PUNCH, overall motorbike imports fell to N47.8 billion in Q2 2022, from N74.59 billion in Q1 2022.
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Nigeria bought motorcycles worth N57.17 billion from India, N17.34 billion from China, and N84.63 billion from Indonesia in the first quarter of 2022. In this quarter, it accounted for 1.26 percent of total imports and was the sixth most imported item.
Nigeria bought motorcycles worth N31.98 billion from India, N15.28 billion from China, N528.98 million from Indonesia, and N0.96 billion from Pakistan by Q2 2022. It represented 0.88 percent of total imports in this quarter and was the 12th most imported item.
This decrease comes as the federal government contemplates prohibiting the use of motorbikes and mining activities in the aftermath of the July 5 terrorist assault on the Kuje penitentiary facility, as well as others across the country.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said that the terrorists used motorcycles to transport monies obtained from mining and used to purchase weapons.
“The issues deliberated borders on the logistics being used by the terrorists, Boko Haram, and bandits, among others, in executing their unfortunate act of terrorism and terrorising the country.
“It was extensively deliberated upon as to what needs to be done for the purpose of ensuring that their means of logistics are indeed adequately considered and necessary steps are taken in degrading their capacity to move around.
“The government would look into that possibility, with particular regard to restriction on use and distribution of motorcycles, which is the most conventional logistical means being deployed by terrorists,” Malami said.
Apelogun told The PUNCH that the decision, if implemented, would throw millions out of jobs, noting that this would worsen insecurity in the country.
He said, “Cutting off the head is never a solution for headaches. The proposal for an outright ban on motorcycles in the country would throw millions of our members out of employment and this will add more to the insecurity we are trying to solve. Don’t let us forget that an idle hand is the devil’s workshop.JAMB Result
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