The Lagos State government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that anyone caught operating a commercial motorbike (Okada) in the state is subject to a minimum three-year prison sentence.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, the government in August limited Okada’s ability to operate in specific regions of the state.
Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, the state commissioner for transportation, provided an update on the government’s initiatives and stated that enforcement of the Phase 2 ban will start this Friday.
Enforcing Lagos Law On Motorcycle Operations
The Phase 2 okada ban, according to the commissioner, is in place in four local government areas and six local government development councils. The commissioner made his remarks during a news conference on Wednesday in Ikeja.
He mentioned Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs), Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA), Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu as the four LGA and six LGDCA affected (Bariga LCDA).
Oladeinde said: ”We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted.
”Their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
”We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision geared towards combating the monster that okada operation has created, so that sanity can return to our state.”
NEWS FLASH: Lagos Expands Okada Ban To Further LGAs
In order to implement the prohibition in the councils, he said that 200 representatives of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority had been sent in to work with other security agencies.
Oladeinde claimed that in order to protect the safety of citizens’ lives and property, the ban had to be expanded to four additional LGAs and LCDAs.
He added: ”As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation.
”The alternative transportation include 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.
”The decision and position of government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime.”
Lagos Is Scheduled To Smash Another 2,228 Motorcycles Under The Okada Ban.
Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, asserted that the government was not abandoning the trapped okada riders.
In order to obtain the first and last mile buses, Omotoso suggested that the riders approach the government as a cooperative.
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