The Lagos State Government has reiterated its decision to ban motorcycle operations in 10 Local Governments (LGs) and 15 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDAs) of the state remains effective.
A statement released by the Ministry of Transportation signed by the Commissioner, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, stated that there has been peace and improvement in security in areas where the activities of Okada operations have been halted, restating that the security agencies are on alert to continue to enforce the ban without any compromise.
It said that the state government has noticed the gradual return of some recalcitrant Operators of Okada in some restricted areas which would not be condoned by the security agencies in the state.
Advising the general public to comply with the law on the ban of Okada, the statement maintained that both the rider and passenger are liable to 3 years imprisonment if apprehended and prosecuted in addition with the motorcycle impounded and crushed in the public view.
It added that statistics have shown that accident rates in the areas where activities of Okada riders have been put on hold has decreased by 76 percent, highlighting that the state government has ban the operations of Okada in 10 out of the 20 LGAs in the state which include: Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa
In addition, the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAS) under the affected LGAs are; Apapa Iganmu, Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island West, Lagos Island East, Yaba, and Coker Aguda.Others are; Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa East, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo.
The state government reaffirmed that more sustainable alternatives are being provided for the motoring publics with the ramping up of the mass transit Blue and Red Lines Rail passengers operation which will commence text running by the end of 2022.
It urged both riders and passengers to move away from the fixed mindset of seeing operation of Okada as a means of commuting, adding that the ban will eventually take effect in all the remaining LGAs and LCDAs not yet affected.
