Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State government on Monday announced the banning of commercial motorcyclists known as Okada as well as tricycle operators from plying major highways in 15 local government areas and local council development areas in the state.
The ban takes effect from February 1, 2020.
While announcing the government’s decision, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso said the ban is to enforce the 2018 law of the state restricting activities of Okada riders to inner routes. He said high rate of crime and increase in accident caused by okada riders necessitated the move by the government.
“After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) menace, the Lagos State government and the State Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount.The figures are scary. From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.The rate of crimes aided by mtorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) keeps rising. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are also used as getaway means by criminals,” Omotoso said.
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He added: “Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs):Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs.”
Other local governments are: ” Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA. The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020.”
Omotoso further said as palliatives measure, the state government will provide modern buses to ply all the banned routes to cover commuters, adding further major routes where the ban will take place would be announced.
“This is the first stage of the state government’s plan to sanitize our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation.The Law is very clear. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads.
According to Omotoso, major highways where okada operators are banned are Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Oworonshoki-Oshodi expressway, Lagos-Ikorodu expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, Third Mainland bridge, Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos-Badagry expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor road, and Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal road.” Concerning bridges, they are Iyana- Ipaja bridge, Agege, Dopemu Bridge, Agege, Airport/Ikeja bridge, Agege Motor road/Oshodi Loop, Oshodi, Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge, Dorman Long bridge, Ojuelegba Bridge, National Stadium Flyover, Apapa-Iganmu Bridge, Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge, Liverpool Bridge, Apapa, Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin, Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge, Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network, Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge.”
Others are Trade Fair Flyover Bridge, Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge to Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha road, Ojota Clover leaf Bridge, Ogudu Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge, Maryland flyover, Ikeja General Hospital Flyover Bridge, Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja, Opebi Link Bridge, Sheraton-Opebi Bridge, Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge, Carter Bridge, Lagos, Bariga-Ifako Bridge, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge, Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Third Mainland Bridge, Third Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge, Eko Bridge, Apongbon flyover Bridge, Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess), Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp), Marina/Ikoyi Bridge and Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge.
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The Commissioner said the law enforcement agents have been directed to effect the ban from February 1, 2020, while “there will be Zero Tolerance for Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in (on) the listed local governments, highways and bridges.
He also warned that “all offenders and violators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
