The Lagos government has declared that there is no going back on its decision to ban activities of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, in some local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Yesterday, the state government reiterated its directive to enforcement teams to fully implement the proscription order placed on the activities of Okada riders and bust any of them who err across the councils listed as of today.
Speaking during a press briefing organised by the inter-ministerial committee on the Okada ban at the Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, directed law enforcement agencies and security personnel to ensure total compliance.
The commissioner implored the public to comply with the order, as both the rider and passenger are liable to three years in prison if prosecuted. Their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in public view, in line with the provisions of Section 46, Sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
On August 18, 2022, the state government extended the ban on commercial motorcycles to four LGAs and five LCDAs.
The pronouncement came about three months after the governor had ordered a total restriction on okada in six LGAs, including Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa, and LCDAs under them.
The latest order on commercial motorcyclists’ operations affects the following LGAs: Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, and Mushin, and LCDAs: Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Bariga, and Odi-Olowo.
This makes it 25 councils out of the 57 in which okada activities have been banned.
Oladeinde said, “Before the last briefing, we had earlier reviewed the achievements and challenges encountered by the state government through public engagement at a stakeholders forum tagged ‘Okada Ban: What Next?” held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
