Ayodele Olalere
Coalition of Civil Society Group under the name Defend Lagos Coalition, on Wednesday, called for the total ban of Okada riders in every part of Lagos State.
The coalition which also includes faith and community-based organisations said it was supporting Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his ban on the activities of the Okada riders.
Speaking at a media briefing held in Ikeja, the National Coordinator and Spokesman, Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihekaire, said there is immediate need for a total clampdown on commercial motorcycles operations in Lagos State, and urged Lagos residents to join the government in checking the activities of commercial motorcyclists.
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“We ask Lagosians to join us in demanding from the Lagos State government a total clampdown on motorcycles (okada) as a means of transportation in every nook and cranny of the state.,” he said.
He stated that a collective action, which requires the input of all true Lagosians, is needed to eradicate the menace of Okada in the state.
He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for taking the bold step to ban Okada operation s in six local government and local council development areas, adding the “governor has shown without any doubt that he is a dutiful servant of the people who is ever-ready to listen and carry out the people’s desires in line with his constitutional mandate.”
Ihekaire lamented that Lagosians have, on a daily basis, experienced several threats to lives and property, caused by Okada riders ” who have laid siege to Lagos State but this sense of insecurity convened by these dare-devil riders should not be allowed to continue.”
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The group lamented that artisans and able-bodied Nigerian youths have abandoned their trained jobs to become emergency Okada riders, adding that “youths are no longer interested in vocational training to earn a decent and enduring living; rather, they have taken to riding Okada to make “quick” money with the attendant risk to their lives.”
“In the past few months, we have recorded cases of violent crimes and civil disturbances directly linked to the motorcycle operators, with some leading to the destruction of assets, loss of lives of innocent citizens and security agents.”
They called on the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration to immediately work towards the restoration of law and order in public transportation in order to ease the inconveniences that will likely arise, as a result of this inevitable demand.
