By Michael Olatunji
The terms got grimmer for commercial motorcycle operators (okada), on Wednesday, as the Lagos State Government threatened to mete maximum penalty of three months imprisonment on any rider or passenger if caught riding on banned local governments.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde disclosed this at a news conference organised by the inter-ministerial committee on okada ban in Lagos State, to announce the kick-off of total enforcement on ban of okada riders in additional four local governments, from Thursday, September 1, 2022.
Oladeinde said the government had directed the Lagos Command of the Nigeria Police Force, and other security stakeholders; such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other Security and Law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce the law.
He added that the security agents would be complemented by the “Anti-Okada Squad”, be deployed to these new locations to strengthen the enforcement of the phase 2 of the ban.
The new local governments from where the riders are banned are: Kosofe, with its two LCDAs – Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu; Oshodi-Isolo, with two LCDAs –Isolo and Ejigbo; Shomolu with one LCDA-Bariga and Mushin with one LCDA -Odi-Olowo.
The extension brings to 25, out of the 57 councils; (10 of the 20 old local governments and 15 of the 37 LCDAs), where a total ban on okada operation has been slammed.
Oladeinde said the extension of the ban to four more LGs and their LCDAs, is meant to save lives and property.
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise these okadas stranded without any viable means of commuting, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation such as the First and Last Mile (FLM) Bus Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE), waterways and other acceptable modes of transportation to go about their daily activities.
For those who felt the operators are being deprived of their means of livelihood, Oladeinde said government would be interested in equipping them with requisite skills and facilitate for them loan acquisition to make them have a seamless transition from their present job into something more reliable.
“As for the riders, we have made available existing interventions aimed at empowering citizens as an alternative means of livelihood,” he said.
The commissioner stated that the decision and position of government on okada was very clear, and that it would not be compromising on this decision which was to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to decrease in accident and crime rates as well as the return of sanity to the communities within the State.
“We implore the general public to comply as both the rider and passenger are both liable to 3 years imprisonment if caught, while their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
“It is important to inform Lagosians that our help lines are still very active as your feedbacks will further enhance our strategies; as the protection of lives and properties is a collective responsibility of all. For complaint and feedback kindly call any of the following lines: 09038208154, 09169655855, 09034810153 and 09033090826.
In his comment, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Gbenga Omotoso said “while there had been protests by operators who had accused the government of being insensitive to their plight by declaring a total ban on their operations, government is yet to see protests by Lagosians regarding the inadequacies of the alternatives being provided by government. Government would continue to choose life and would continue to decide in favour of the preserving the lives of the people.”
He said besides the alternatives provided by the government, Lagosians should embrace walking and biking as other means of non-motorized transportation, adding that walking is a globally accepted means of transportation and Lagosians should embrace it, even for its health benefit.
He said besides the 25 local governments, okada remained banned on all bridges, highways, expressway and other earlier designated places around the state.
