The Lagos Government has declared that its decision to outlaw the operations of commercial motorcycle riders, also referred to as “okada riders,” in select local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs) of the state cannot be reversed.
The state administration reaffirmed its instruction to enforcement teams to fully carry out the rule prohibiting okada riders’ operations.
Speaking, during a press briefing, organised by the inter-ministerial committee on Okada ban at Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, August 31, Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, directed law enforcement agencies and security personnel to ensure the total compliance of the ban.
The commissioner said both the rider and passenger are liable to three years in prison if prosecuted, while their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, Sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
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?” which was held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
“In line with these developments, the ministerial committee on Okada is here again to further re-emphasise, on the need for total compliance with the Okada ban as the commencement date of September 1, 2022 draws near.
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise these okadas 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.”
Recall that 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 earlier ordered a total restriction on okada in six LGAs, including Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa, as well as LCDAs under them.
The latest order on the operations of the commercial motorcyclists affects the following LGAs: Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu and Mushin, and LCDAs: Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo.
