The Lagos state government yesterday proscribed the operations of
commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) in six Local
Government Areas (LGAs), nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and 10
major highways across the state with effect from February 1.
commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) in six Local
Government Areas (LGAs), nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and 10
major highways across the state with effect from February 1.
The
state government directed security operatives to embark on a total enforcement
of the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the
chaos and disorderliness created by illegal operations of Okada and tricycle
riders in restricted areas. Besides, the government also banned Okada and
tricycles from plying 40 bridges and flyovers across the state.
state government directed security operatives to embark on a total enforcement
of the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the
chaos and disorderliness created by illegal operations of Okada and tricycle
riders in restricted areas. Besides, the government also banned Okada and
tricycles from plying 40 bridges and flyovers across the state.
Commissioner
for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who made the announcement at
the State House in Alausa, said the measures were taken in response to “scary
figures” of fatal accidents recorded from operations of Okada and tricycles in
the state between 2016 and 2019.
for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who made the announcement at
the State House in Alausa, said the measures were taken in response to “scary
figures” of fatal accidents recorded from operations of Okada and tricycles in
the state between 2016 and 2019.
He said: “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.
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.
“Also,
the rate of crimes aided by Okada and Keke keeps rising. They are also used as
getaway means by criminals. 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 Okada and Keke in six Local Government Areas and nine Local
Council Development Areas (LCDAs).”
the rate of crimes aided by Okada and Keke keeps rising. They are also used as
getaway means by criminals. 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 Okada and Keke in six Local Government Areas and nine Local
Council Development Areas (LCDAs).”
According
to the Commissioner, operations of Okada and Keke NAPEP have been banned in
Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA,
Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA. Others are Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo LCDA,
Ojodu LCDA, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Lagos
Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.
to the Commissioner, operations of Okada and Keke NAPEP have been banned in
Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA,
Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA. Others are Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo LCDA,
Ojodu LCDA, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Lagos
Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.
Lagosians yesterday took to social media to react to the development.
Those against the policy felt the government did not take into consideration
the frustrating traffic situation in areas like Apapa before taking the
decision.
Those against the policy felt the government did not take into consideration
the frustrating traffic situation in areas like Apapa before taking the
decision.
One
Uche Fortunate, who claimed he worked at Apapa said: “Okada ban in Apapa? This
seems laughable. Apapa, from Mile 2 to Warehouse road has not been motorable
for years due to terrible roads and over subscription by articulated trucks
that stay up a full month before they can cover a 10 minutes-drive. How do you
expect people go to work?”
Uche Fortunate, who claimed he worked at Apapa said: “Okada ban in Apapa? This
seems laughable. Apapa, from Mile 2 to Warehouse road has not been motorable
for years due to terrible roads and over subscription by articulated trucks
that stay up a full month before they can cover a 10 minutes-drive. How do you
expect people go to work?”
Joseph
Onyeanu said the government should have first provided alternative means of
transportation before the total ban, wondering what will become of commuters
who would be stranded at bus stops. “It cannot be a right move without measures
to cushion the effect of this. There are no sufficient vehicles to convey the
many commuters who will hang around bus stops,” he said.
Onyeanu said the government should have first provided alternative means of
transportation before the total ban, wondering what will become of commuters
who would be stranded at bus stops. “It cannot be a right move without measures
to cushion the effect of this. There are no sufficient vehicles to convey the
many commuters who will hang around bus stops,” he said.
Supporters of the ban said it would reduce accidents and other
dangers associated with motorcycling, adding that the menace of the riders would
also be curtailed. Sele Ijewere said he would love to see the policy
implemented in Surulere but added that there might be resistance from the
union.
dangers associated with motorcycling, adding that the menace of the riders would
also be curtailed. Sele Ijewere said he would love to see the policy
implemented in Surulere but added that there might be resistance from the
union.
One
Ademoray said: “Fantastic move, about time we stopped being selfish and started
thinking about tourism/tourists/visitors in our midst. Even for our own sanity
in Lagos, which is now on the cusp of Yaba left. This madness and disorienting
disorganisation on our roads need to give way for order
Ademoray said: “Fantastic move, about time we stopped being selfish and started
thinking about tourism/tourists/visitors in our midst. Even for our own sanity
in Lagos, which is now on the cusp of Yaba left. This madness and disorienting
disorganisation on our roads need to give way for order
Credit:
The Guardian
The Guardian
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