The Lagos State Government, reiterated yesterday, that there is no going back on the ban of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, slated to commence today, saying riders and passengers risk three years jail term for violation.
The state government had banned Okada operations in four additional Local Government Areas, LGA, and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs.
The four additional councils and six LCDAs affected include Kosofe LGA, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Oshodi-Isolo LGA, Isolo LCDA, Ejigbo, Shomolu LGA, Bariga LCDA and Mushin LGA, Odi-Olowo LCDA.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial media briefing on preparedness for commencement of the Phase 2 total ban on Okada operations, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, reiterated that the Ministerial Committee on Okada has re-emphasised the need for total compliance with the Okada ban, as the commencement begins.
Oladeinde said: “For the purpose of emphasis and clarification, the State Government has extended the ban of Okada Operations to the following Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in a bid to further promote and ensure the Safety and Security of lives and properties in the State
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise these Okada stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation such as 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.
“As for the riders, we have also made available existing interventions aimed at empowering citizens as an alternative means of livelihood.”
Giwa, in his contribution, urged all Okada riders and passengers to comply with the ban saying “We are losing our artisans to Okada operations. We will not condone this unacceptable act, as we are ready to enforce the ban to the latter.”
With the ban taking effect today, some commercial motorcyclists, yesterday, besieged the Lagos House, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to suspend the proposed ban on Okada riders.
Chairman of MOALS Lagos State Zone C, Mr Tijani Pekins, who led the protest, urged the state government to engage the association and work out modalities to save millions of members, whose livelihoods will be massively affected by the enforcement of the ban.
