The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to commercial motor riders, commonly known as ‘okada riders,’ that he will set up an electric motorbike assembly plant in the country if re-elected as president in the 2024 general elections.
He stated that these electric bikes would be available to okada riders through a hire-purchase scheme.
In a report on citinewsroom.com, the former president, speaking to okada riders in Ashaiman, said,
“The good news is that I have spoken with two companies, they are going to open an assembling plant for electric motorbikes. That will be given out on hire purchase, work and pay, then you will pay in bits. Such motors don’t consume petrol, the battery will be charged down.”
“When you ride and your battery falls, you can visit the exchange battery centre and then the battery will be taken out and replaced with a new one. You pay a small fee and then you continue with your work,” he said.
John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his promise to decriminalize commercial motorbike operations if he is elected.
The NDC’s flagbearer contends that, with proper regulation, motorbikes can serve as an effective and safe mode of transportation.
He said, “We want your support in ensuring the law works. You have to punish your members who will go contrary to the law. Your safety will be the number one thing, you will observe road instructions at all times. Your work is very important.
“You will be asked to wear reflective jackets so that people will see you from far. Many motorbikers are thieves, so we will register all of you to sniff out the thieves.”