. . . The government reports an 86% drop in crime rates and a 63.7% drop in Okada-related accidents.
Lagosians are calling on state government to ban commercial motorcycles.
At a stakeholder forum convened to review the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as “okada,” in six local governments, participants unanimously called for a total ban on this mode of transport.
According to information gathered on the Lagos State website, Information and Strategy Commissioner Mr Gbenga Omotoso stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu has tasked a committee to engage stakeholders and review the ban, which came into force on June 1, 2022 in came into force.
The commissioner said: “After seeing the results of the ban in the six local government areas, many Lagosians have called on the government to extend the ban.
Some say it should apply nationwide given the current safety concerns. Mr. Governor has commissioned us to hold this meeting to discuss what comes next.”
Omotoso urged stakeholders to provide sincere opinions and recommendations that would support the government’s decision, noting that the data available after the ban point to an improvement in safety, a decrease in motorcycle accidents and a lower intake of “Okada” warned victims in hospitals.
Traffic Commissioner Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said an anti-Okada squad had been deployed to help police and the task force enforce the ban.
The commissioner said: “In the affected areas over the reporting period, available records show that crime and accident rates fell by 86% and 63.7% respectively, while 7,500 motorcycles were seized and destroyed”.
He said the forum was convened “to revitalize the state’s commitment to addressing insecurity, crime, non-compliance with safety rules and traffic rules, and underground activities continued by non-state actors with the use of Okada.”
Oladeinde assured that the state government will take the forum’s views into account when making further decisions on the Okada threat.
The presenter and moderator of the popular journalists’ meeting on TVC, Mr. Babajide Otitoju, emphasized the need for the participants to express frank opinions that would help Governor Sanwo-Olu make the most beneficial decision about Okada.
Citing examples of states that had banned the type of commercial transportation, Otitoju said: “When Boko Haram used okada to kill people, the government had no choice but to ban okada in Kano. If it can happen in Kano, I am convinced that a total ban can work in Lagos.”
He cited examples of other states that had banned okada, such as Akwa Ibom and Enugu.
The Forum’s keynote speaker, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, traced the emergence of motorcycles as a mode of transport in Lagos to the economic depression of the early 1980’s.
However, he noted that the advent of “Okada” heralded safety issues, health consequences, confusion on highways, and high levels of indiscipline and harassment on the streets of Lagos, among other things.
Prof Badejo insisted that commercial motorcycles must be banned as the trend does not conform to ‘global best practices for mobility infrastructure development’ and its health consequences such as pollution; smoke and drug abuse among drivers, and safety issues.
Prof. Badejo expressed his confidence in the state government’s transport plan, saying that the completion of the ongoing rail and road projects, as well as the opening of the waterways, would eliminate the need for Okada in any part of Lagos.
The panelists – Mr. Sanya Oni, a representative of the media; Nelson Ekujumi, activist and civil society representative; The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter), Comrade Olalekan Sulaimon-Oba, and Alhaji Azeez Amusat, Chairman of the Lagos State Community Advisory Council – were unanimous in their recommendations that the Okada government should be present in all local governments and in the local council should ban development areas.
The youth MP said his constituency was 100% in favor of a “total ban” and stressed that the government should ensure that all local governments and local government development areas stop issuing licenses to commercial motorcyclists.
Sulaimon-Oba continued: “Politicians should stop empowering youth in Lagos state with okada. Nor should the government relax the ban because of upcoming elections.”
The event was also attended by security chiefs, traditional rulers and religious leaders, all of whom called for a ban on commercial motorcycle operations in Lagos.
Oba Segun Ajasa of Onigbongbo said; “Okada should be banned everywhere.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
It is used to steal and steal phones. Okada is not a good thing because the drivers are looking for a quick buck. That’s our experience.”
Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division Fadheelat Sheikh Seifudeen A.A. Olowo-Oribi applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for providing various youth empowerment programs.
Sheikh Olowo-Oribi noted that many Okada drivers have guns and ammunition in their possession.
“Tell the governor to impose the ban in all local governments to ensure safety across the state,” he said.
The Governor’s Special Advisor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, urged all participants to return to their communities and “walk the talk” on stakeholder engagement decisions.
The event was also attended by members of the State Executive Council, including Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Mr. Tunji Bello and Housing Commissioner Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai.
Also present were the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Kamal Olowosago, the Assistant to the Governor for New Media and Public Relations, Mr. Olusegun Fafore, and other senior officials of the state government.
