· Says arrested drivers, passengers sentenced to three years imprisonment.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its decision to halt Okada operations as a means of commuting, while affirming that the decision was made to ensure the safety of residents’ lives and property.
According to information from the Lagos State website, enforcement of the ban in four other local governments – Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu and Mushin Local Government – will start on September 1, 2022.
The affected LCDAs are Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo.
At a press conference in the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said the state government has made alternatives available that will cushion the impact of the ban on passengers and commercial motorcyclists.
Oladeinde said, “As a responsive government, we will not leave the affected passengers who are patronizing these okadas stranded without viable transportation.”
He also encouraged drivers to take advantage of the various empowerment programs offered by government agencies such as the Department of Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA); Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment; Office for Civic Engagement; Office for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the Department of Agriculture.
The Commissioner explained that the agencies offer internships, vocational training, loans for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural youth development programmes.
Stressing that the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, BRT Scheme, Lagos E-Hailing Taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other sustainable modes of transport were created to facilitate transportation, Oladeinde claimed that enforcement of the ban would be consolidated and there will be no compromise.
Oladeinde implored the public to obey the law, saying that if convicted, both the drivers and passengers would be sentenced to three years in prison.
Oladeinde stated that impounded motorcycles would be crushed.
His words: “We are imploring the public to comply as both riders and passengers will be punished with three years imprisonment if caught and this bike will be confiscated and publicly crushed.”
When asked about the possibility of fines for convicted drivers and passengers, Oladeinde replied that the decision was at the discretion of the court.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, revealed that some Okada drivers are already forming cooperatives to gain access to the first and last ride buses that the state has made available as an alternative.
He urged drivers to break free from the rigid mindset of seeing Okada as their only way of making a living.
The Governor’s Special Advisor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, also announced that the Okada Ban Committee had met with the Motorcyclists Union and asked for a list of all riders in the affected areas so that they could refer to the alternative provisions introduced.
He stated that with the ban in place, accidents committed by Okada and crime rates are beginning to decline.
In a separate topic on traffic disruptions due to road construction, Giwa urged residents to exercise patience in construction corridors and warned professional drivers not to drive on curbs and against traffic.
He said employees from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have been deployed to ensure the free flow of traffic, particularly in areas where construction work is underway.
The Lagos Police Commissioner’s representative, CSP Elizabeth Opadunni, confirmed the police’s willingness to enforce the ban and assured Lagosians that the police stood ready to enforce the ban.
In his closing remarks, Secretary of State for Transport, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago, expressed his appreciation to the Governor for providing the necessary support to make the ban effective, adding that the Governor is passionate about everything that the residents of Lagos can help.
