The Coastal Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Jerry Ahmed Shaib has noted that the CODA Drive initiative was introduced to eradicate poverty and create wealth for commercial drivers, ‘okada’ and ‘pragya’ riders.
He said the initiative was a directive from President to CODA to eradicate or eliminate the use of Okada for commercial purposes.
Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib stated that under the CODA Drive intervention, CODA would offer Bajaj Qute four-passenger quadricycles to drivers and ‘Okada’ riders on hire purchase for use as public transport.
The CEO elaborated that CODA Drive has many economic and social benefits including but not limited to the income-earning opportunities for thousands of Ghanaian families as well as a reduction in road crashes and consequent reduction in injury and death.
CODA Drive is being funded under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).
He told the host of Frontline Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that the move would provide decent jobs and livelihood for the Okada riders.
As a former Board Member at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, he said okada related deaths are several, and the move would help resolve it.
To him, the government is thinking of the safety, security and livelihood of the riders.
The price is Ghc25,000, and the government will not make any profit because the ethe government bought the car at Ghc23,000, and the remaining Ghc2,000 would be used for the registration of the car.
The new initiative is also expected to help address road safety within the Coastal Development Zone.
Below are the modalities
REQUIREMENTS OF BENEFICIARIES (NON-OKADA RIDERS).
To qualify as a beneficiary of the CODA Drive initiative, an individual or small business:
- Must be a member of any farmers, fishers, taxi drivers, ‘Okada’ riders or ‘Aboboyaa’ riders association for at least a year.
- Must be resident within the Coastal Development Zone (Oti, Volta, Greater Accra, Central, Western and Western North regions).
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, minimum Class B.
- Must be a member of CODA Credit Union and possess a CODA Credit Union membership card.
- 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:
- Must possess a Ghana Card.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, minimum Class B.
- Must surrender their registered motorbike.
PRICE AND PAYMENT
- The price of the vehicle is GHS 25,000.00.
- The payment shall be on hire purchase.
- An individual or small business who is selected to benefit must make an initial
payment of 20% of the selling price. - The balance with an interest rate of 2% per annum shall be spread over 24- month equal installments.
- 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.
CONCLUSION
Unless otherwise stated, the terms and conditions contained in this press release shall be the modalities for the sale and payment for the CODA Drive vehicles.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
