Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON expressed his delight in having Commercial Motorcycle Riders (Okada) as one of the leading contributors to the revenue generation of the State.

“From the records presented, I am delighted to see the level of high compliance of Commercial Motorcycle (Okada) riders to buying their daily tickets and contributing their quota to the development of Ondo State with an Improved collection rate”, declared Governor Akeredolu.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa made this statement at the occasion of 2022 Raffle Draw ceremony for Commercial Motorcycle (Okada) riders in Ondo State, held at Revenue House, Alagbaka, Akure on Wednesday.

“When we came on board in 2017, Okada collection in the State was about Four Hundred Thousand Naira in a month (N4.8Million in a year), in 2018, we were able to generate N350 Million, in 2019, the State generated over N538 Million, 2020 (with the COVID-19 pandemic), we were able to get over N660 Million, in year 2021, we made over N750 Million”.

“Here comes 2022 again, the collection from January to date is over Eight Hundred Million Naira (N800 Million), on their account… this is indeed, a noticeable and remarkable feat”, the Governor said.

With this remarkable development, the State for the second time running, decided to reward the commercial motorcycle riders (Okada) for their outstanding civic responsibility performance in the State, organized by Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS).

The following gift items were won through an open raffle draw system by members of Commercial Motorcycle (Okada) riders at the impressive event.

• 165 bags of Rice.
• 109 cartons of Indomie Noodles.
• 53 bags of Semovita.
• 100 gallons of Groundnut Oil.
• 8 Standing Fans.
• 2000 Customized Ball Pen.
• A Star Prize of Motorcycle TVS Plus HLX with Free Insurance, Free Number Plate, Free one-year License and renewal of Driver’s license.

Speaking on this Corporate Service Responsibility, Executive Chairman of ODIRS , Mr Tolu Adegbie said , ” there has never been any administration in ODIRS that has been this active and accountable in Corporate Service Responsibility”.

“Upon coming on board with the present administration, we resolved to take up promotional movements and strategies to complement the State Government’s REDEEMED agenda and gladly, a lot has been achieved in this regard” , he said.

It is glad to note that today’s event would be replicated in seven Local Government Areas that have generated high revenue this year.

The Local Government Areas are, Akure South, Akure North, Akoko-Southwest, Idanre, Okitipupa, Ondo West and Owo.

Speaking at the event, Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale charged the Okada riders on the need to be traffic and road compliance.

Others at the event are, Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Revenue, Mr Femi Feyide, State Accountant General, Mrs Toyin Oni, State Auditor General, Mr Sunday Adegoke, Press Secretary to Governor, Office of Deputy Governor, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, Special Assistant to Governor on New Media, Ladi Okunniga, top management of ODIRS and others.