CODA DRIVE: First 200 Mini Cars Offered To Replace Risky Okada Business

The Coastal Development Authority (CODA) through an automobile company has procured first 200 mini cars to phase out the unsafe Okada system to ensure safety and discipline on our city roads. The CEO of CODA, Lawyer Jerry Shaibu Ahmed who launched the program advised the privileged beneficiaries to turn a new leave and adopt the laid down driving rules to reduce Carnage on our cities. “As a board member of the Korlebu Teaching Hospital ,l see a lot of Okada accidents and the danger it poses to our citizens that is why the government has thought it wise to replace motor wit these four-wheel mini cars.” The CEO said the cars were purchased for 23,000 gh cedis each and all have been registered but they are being offered for 25,000gh cedis through CODA credit union facility. He asked the motor owners to surrender their machines for replacement.

He encouraged them to register with the CODA Cooperative Union to get other things in future. He warned that the beneficiaries should not keep their old motor bikes and come for the new cars. “We need the old motor bikes for our villages where there are no traffic and dangers where the riding can offer alternative benefits”. He said the next batch will arrive every quarter till all Okada riders get their allocation. He encouraged them to do regular maintenance of the cars even though first 1,000 kilometers is to be borne by the importers. Again training of drivers will be free by the importers.

The beneficiaries will only pay 41 gh cedis per day for two years after which the mini cars become theirs for good. He expressed hes gratitude to the Vice president Alhaji Mahammadu Bawumia for fulfilling the 2020 campaign promise to the Okada riders and assured them of future assistance in their business. A representative of the GPRTU advised the Okada riders to observe the road safety regulations and be of good conduct. He also asked them not to hustle with Trotro and taxi drivers for passengers. He also advised them to park at authorised places to avoid congestion and chaos at our lorry stations.

The secretary of the Okada riders association thanked CODA and Government for this program that will take them out of the usual risk and dangers their work is associated with. They also acknowledged the role of the Road Safety Authority who championed the current program and their advice . They promised to abide by the driving rules but they appealed to the police to treat them the same way as they will treat the orthodox drivers. The spokesperson thanked the Government for the much safer way of driving and providing them with better alternative means of job for their livelihood. According to him the transport business is fraught with all dangers and it’s heartwarming to see change to sanitize the sector.

Below are the spelt out modalities from CODA on the criteria on qualification of the acquisition of the car:

REQUIREMENTS OF BENEFICIARIES (NON-OKADA RIDERS).

To qualify as a beneficiary of the CODA Drive initiative, an individual or small business:

1. Must be a member of any farmers, fishers, taxi drivers, ‘Okada’ riders or ‘Aboboyaa’ riders association for at least a year.
2. Must be resident within the Coastal Development Zone (Oti, Volta, Greater Accra, Central, Western and Western North regions).
3. Must possess a valid driver’s license, minimum Class B.
4. Must be a member of CODA Credit Union and possess a CODA Credit Union membership card.
5. Must complete an application form that should be endorsed by two guarantors.
6. Must submit completed forms to the regional office of CODA for further processing.

REQUIREMENTS OF OKADA RIDERS

To qualify as a beneficiary, an okada rider:

1. Must possess a Ghana Card.
2. Must possess a valid driver’s license, minimum Class B.
3. Must surrender their registered motorbike.

PRICE AND PAYMENT:

1. The price of the vehicle is GHS 25,000.00.
2. The payment shall be on hire purchase.
3. An individual or small business who is selected to benefit must make an initial payment of 20% of the selling price.
4. The balance with an interest rate of 2% per annum shall be spread over 24month equal installments.
5. Based on the hire purchase agreement, the Authority shall have ownership of the vehicle until payment is completed by the buyer/beneficiary. As such, all documents to the vehicle shall be held by the Authority until payment is completed.

INSURANCE:

All CODA Drive vehicles are insured before they are distributed.

REGISTRATION:

All CODA Drive vehicles shall be registered in the name of CODA Credit Union before they are distributed to the beneficiaries. Ownership of a vehicle shall be transferred to a buyer/beneficiary after completion of payment.

Source: Kessbenonline