The Lagos State Government said it is very impressed with people’s compliance with the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in fifteen LGAs and LCDAs. In a lengthy statement issued via Twitter, the government also claimed that the high level of compliance indicates that Lagosians agree with the policy move. This claim may not be true by the way, because many people are already complaining.
The high level of compliance has shown that Lagosians agree with the government on the need to stop the danger that commercial motorcycles and tricycles have become – a big threat to safety of lives and security of our people @jidesanwoolu #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 2, 2020
In the meantime, the government said it will introduce measures that will take care of the “little discomfort” that some commuters are experiencing. Some of these measures include:
- Making better use of the waterways by introducing fourteen (14) ferries
- Providing about five hundred and fifty (550) more buses, sixty-five (65) of which are expected to become available as from today.
This will further open up the waterways, reduce travel time on various routes and provide safe, dependable and comfortable alternatives for commuters @jidesanwoolu #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 2, 2020
According to the statement, the Lagos State Government is aware that implementing the ban on motorcycles and tricycles have resulted in some job losses. To this end, therefore, it plans to announce some measures that will take care of those who have lost their means of livelihood due to the ban. This is besides other government job creation programmes that are already in place, including those organised by the Lagos Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and others.
Besides the programmes of various agencies, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Civic Engagement, Lagos State Parks and Gardens and others @jidesanwoolu #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 2, 2020
At this point, it is uncertain whether these soon-to-be-announced economic measures will be able to take care of everyone that has been affected by this ban. As for companies like Gokada and Max.NG who invested heavily in the commercial motorcycle business, the ban will forever remain a major economic blow. Recall that the CEO and Co-founder of Max.NG, Adetayo Bamiduro, recently lamented that the company invested close to $10 million in assets. This investment is now in jeopardy following the ban.
[READ FURTHER: Lagos residents groan as okada ban takes effect]
Now, bearing in mind that many people are displeased over the ban, the Lagos State Government warned that anybody thinking of taking the laws into their own hands should think twice. This is because law enforcement agents are well-positioned to deal with anybody who tries to frustrate this government effort to rid the city-state of motorcycles and tricycles.
The law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that nobody takes the law into his hands. The government places a very high premium on law and order in the interest of all Lagosians. It will not fail to act when peace is threatened @jidesanwoolu #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 2, 2020
