- Orders commercial GOKADA and MAXOKADA to comply with traffic regulations
By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
The Lagos State Task Force has ordered owners/operators of commercial ‘Gokada’ and ‘Maxokada’ to immediately comply with the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed this today during an enforcement operations on motorcyclists operating on restricted routes including one-way around Ikeja, Ojota, and Maryland.
Egbeyemi disclosed further that out of 115 motorcycles impounded during the enforcement operations, 22 were branded commercial ‘Gokada and Maxokada’.
He confirmed that activities of these newly branded commercial motorcycle operators is illegal and without any valid documentations from the State government.
The Chairman reiterated that in accordance with the law, no commercial motorcycle operator is allowed to operate around 475 restricted routes including highways and bridges across the State.
“The government enjoined members of the public to henceforth desists from patronising commercial motorcyclists on all restricted routes as passengers are as well liable for prosecutions.
“It was an eye-sore seeing operators’ of these newly branded commercial motorcycles (Gokada/Maxokada) competing for right of ways with motorists on highways and bridges across the State”
The Chairman however stated that the Lagos State Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has directed that 10 arrested riders be immediately charge to court for prosecution.
One of the arrested ‘Gokada’ riders (Mr. Ayeni Francis) who claimed to be paying N3000 per day to their authority said they were not aware of any documentation with the government.
Another arrested rider Mr. Adebayo Adeniran confirmed that he collected one of the newly branded commercial motorcycles ‘Maxokada’ on higher purchase from the management after he presented a guarantor.