The Lagos State government has said that defaulters of the ban on commercial motorcycles also known as Okada risk a three-year jail term.
This was made known by Dr Frederic Oladeinde, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transport at a press briefing in Ikeja Lagos.
The Commissioner, who noted that defaulters are liable to an imprisonment term of three years, said that the state government has the backing of the law and enforcement agents for the implementation of the ban on Okada.
What the Commissioner is saying
He said the state government has provided alternative means of transportation for passengers and that the enforcement of the phase two okada ban in four local government areas and six local council development areas (LCDAs) will commence on Friday.
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise Okada stranded without any viable transport alternative and we have 200 more first and last-mile buses being deployed to the affected areas.
“We have wrapped up the BRT buses in those areas. We also have the LAGRIDE ( referring to Lagos e-hailing taxi scheme) which is operating in those areas and we have other viable transport options which people can use in the absence of Okada.
“We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted,” Oladeinde said.
“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.”
The Commissioner revealed that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been deployed alongside other security agencies in order to enforce the ban.
Speaking further, he said “The decision and position of the 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.”
In case you missed it
- This was done to further intensify the clampdown on commercial motorcyclists in the state.
- On May 18, 2022, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a total ban on commercial motorcycle operators in 6 local government areas in the state.
- The affected local government listed by the governor included Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa.
- The directive from the governor appeared to be a follow-up to the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of these commercial motorcyclists in these areas.
- The state noted that impounded motorcycles will be crushed before the eyes of the public. The state government also said it recorded 85% compliance in 3 days.
- Nairametrics had previously reported that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved a total ban on additional four local governments in the state starting from today, September 1.
- The four more LGAs and six LCDAs include Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs); Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA); Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and in Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).
This Law is anti North only.
@Tafidan, it is “anti” anyone who cannot obey simple rules and regulations, who puts the lives of others unnecessarily at risk, and aids and abets criminality. If your position is that the “North” (or Northerners) indulges in these, so be it then! It’s not compulsory to live in Lagos!
The ban is EXCELLENT!
But I hope he means 3 days or 3 weeks imprisonment. In a nation where people who steal billions are hardly imprisoned or are routinely pardoned, this is an overkill!
My request is for the Governor to look at the road from Iyana Isolo to Ikotun and help to relieve our suffering along that route, especially, when Okada has been banned along that route and Lagos State.
My requests are as follows:
a) Dualisation from laspotec roundabout to Oke afa roundabout (Isolo)
b) Oke Afa as transport hub
C) Flyover at Jakande gate junction
D) NNPC Junction
E) Iyana Ejigbo Junction
F) Second bridge linking Ori oke to Cele Egbe
G) Flyover at Ikotun Junction
The road from laspotec roundabout isolo to Oke Afaa roundabout is due for dualisation. Successive governments in Lagos state had neglected the need to dualise that route even though it is part of the planning for that route. It is easy for anybody to see that there is a setback by the Jakande regime. Any obstructions or breakdown of vehicles on that road will lead to heavy traffic. The route is less than 3klm.
Oke Afaa needs to be turned into a commercial government transport hub for the benefit of the people living along that route. Oke Afaa is too strategic to be a place of dumping or refuse.
The population and traffic around these areas make the need for Flyover a necessity. The Jakande gate Junction is a link road that connects people from Bucknor, isheri,ijegun with people from ikotun, Ejigbo, Idimu, canoe etc. It will reduce the heavy traffic along these routes. Those going to NNPC Junction, Idimu, Ejigbo, Ikotun etc will pass through the flyover while those going to Bucknor, Iseri, Ijegun, Abaranje etc will pass under the flyover.
The NNPC Junction needs a proper drainage system and functional traffic light 24/7. The Junction is now a survival of the fittest, we are not in a Jungle. Any time there is rainfall, the Junction is flooded with water, and this makes it difficult for vehicles and commuters to pass easily. Sometimes it takes hours to pass through the Junction. The traffic control unit in Lagos (LASMA) needs to work late in this area so that they can control the traffic along NNPC Junction.
The same thing applies to Ejigbo Junction. There is a need for a proper drainage system and functional traffic light 24/7.
There is a need for a second bridge Linking Ori Oke and Cele Egbe. This is overdue considering the population that passes through the single bridge, and any obstructions on the bridge will cause heavy traffic. Sometimes, it takes hours to resolve any obstructions on the bridge. You can now imagine what commuters along this route go through every day.
Finally, there is a need for a flyover at Ikotun roundabout to ease the heavy traffic at that Junction and also reduce the incentive traffic disobedience of agbero and their transport system. They spend a lot of time on the major road picking up commuters which slow down the movement of traffic.
The banning of Okada along these above-mentioned routes without proper planning for easy movement of traffic, and lack of good transportation system will be a catastrophe for people living along these routes.
Alimosho local government is the largest local government in Lagos state and it deserves some level of development.
I am appealing to the Lagos state government to come to our aid and relieve the suffering along the above-mentioned routes.
Femi Michael Oluwajana
Don’t you have LG councilors, State House of Assembly member or House of Reps member? Petition them, THAT’S THEIR JOB!