The Lagos State Government said defaulters of the ban on commercial motorcycle operators (Okada), risked a three-year jail term, as enforcement for the Phase 2 ban starts on Friday.
This was made known on Wednesday. TalkGlitz Media reported in August that the Lagos State government had declared a total ban on motorcycles (Okada) in another four LGAs and six LCDAs mainly in Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs); Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA); Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said the phase 2 okada ban was in the four Local Government Areas, LGAs, and six Local Government Development Councils, LCDA, mentioned above during a news conference in Ikeja.
”We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted.
”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.
”We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision geared towards combating the monster that okada operation has created so that sanity can return to our state,” Oladeinde said.
He said that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority, LTMA, had been deployed to join other security agencies to enforce the ban in the councils.
According to him, the extension of the ban to four more LGAs and LCDAs is in the right direction to ensure the security of lives and property.
”As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation.
”The alternative transportation includes 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.
”The decision and position of the government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime,” the commissioner said.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, also reiterated that the government was not leaving the okada riders stranded.
Omotoso said that the riders could approach the government as a cooperative to get the first and last mile buses.
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