Following the Delta State government’s ban on the use of motorcycles, popularly called “Okada”, three septuagenarian traders have reportedly slumped and died around Umuagu-Asaba while waiting for means to move out to their business centres.

Reliable sources said two of the victims have been regular visitors to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where they were said to have been taking treatment for hypertension and other related ailments.

Leadership investigations revealed that commuters have been faced with the problem of insufficient tricycles that replaced the Okada as, in most cases, they wait for several hours to no avail to get their destinations.

Expectedly, there is a mad rush for the only few tricycles that are available.Sources said victims of the unfortunate incident died on their way to the hospital, a situation that has created palpable tension in the quarters.

An Okada rider in Asaba who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had relocated to Sapele owing to the ban, stressing that Okada business is his only source of his livelihood.

He said: “I am happy that the ban has not been extended to Sapele,  or how would I have been able to feed my family?”

Reports indicated that many of the Okada riders that were formally resident in Asaba have relocated to Benin, where they are said to be making fortunes in the recent times.

Meanwhile, the people of Ugborikoko, Sapele, have continued to experience holdup on the road and in most cases the holdups last for hours as a result of potholes on the road.

Some of the motorists have appealed to the local and state governments to intervene and save them from the pains of spending hours on the way especially in the morning during school run.