Ayodele Olalere
The Lagos State Government has insisted it would not back down on it’s latest ban on operation of commercial motorcyclists in 10 additional local governments and local council development areas which commences on September 1, 2022.
It is recalled that the state government last week announced a further ban on Okada. The latest affected local governments are Kosofe, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Agboyi-Ketu, Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo LCDA, Ejigbo LCDA Shomolu, Bariga LCDA, Mushin, Odi-Olowo.
The ban resulted in a peaceful protest by the riders who protested to the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, demanding a reversal of the ban.
However while speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, insisted the government will not back down on the ban, adding law enforcement agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.
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He reiterated that any okada rider caught flouting the rule will be prosecuted along with the passengers and faces three years imprisonment.
As a way of cushioning the effect of the ban on Lagosians, he said 200 First and Last Mile buses will be distributed to affected areas to ply inner roads.
He added the state government has also liaised with the okada riders association to include their members in the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation to go about their daily activities.
Oladeinde said these schemes are coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Ministry of Wealth Creations and Employment,. ;Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, LSETF, among others.
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The Commissioner further said the ban was aimed at reducing accident and crime rates as well as the return of sanity to the communities within the State, adding the Nigeria Police Force, and relevant security agencies will be complimented by the “Anti-Okada Squad”, to enforce the ban in
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Sola Giwa appealed to all okada riders and passengers to comply with the ban and stay off all the local governments mentioned.
“We are losing our artisans to okada riding. We are ready to enforce the ban, ” he said
