Okada, tricycle ban: AMPEF calls for training, appeals to Sanwo-Olu to reverse decision

 COMFORT EKELEME

Ambassadors for Peace & Enlightenment Foundation (AMPEF), a human right group, has appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consider reversal on the proposed ban on okada, tricycles in 15 local councils, saying it may increase the rate of unemployment in the state.

The group equally noted that the ban, if implemented, would affect the economy of the state because most businessmen and women use okada in order to meet up with their business appointments.

AMPEF however, called for alternatively ways of addressing the excesses of the operators, adding that there is need for re-orientation and training for the drivers.

Speaking with Newsmen in Lagos, President of AMPEF, Comrade Saviour Iche, called on the state government to create skill acquisition center for okada drivers, where they can be engaged in one field of business or the other.

He said, after the training, funds should be made available for them to start up business, stressing that most of them don’t even like okada business because of the risks associated with the business.

“I am pleading with the government to look into this development. Again, I thing that if a decision of this magnitude is to be taken, stakeholders should have been carried along so as to make the our input. There are many ways to address the issues raised without subjecting the okada riders into perpetual handicap.

“In estimation, okada drivers in Lagos alone are about two million, for the tricycle, they are almost the same number. Just imagine when this number of people no longer has jobs, the negative effect may not be good for the state. Crime will be on the increase, there is still time for the government to address this issue, so that there will be no acrimony in the state.

“The effect of the ban on the riders who are bread winners and most of them are graduates, who after school cannot get a paid job. Placing a ban is not the best option for now, if the government want to do that, there must be an alternative measure put in place for alternative means of livelihood.

“I want the government to consider that most people in these local governments cannot do without these means of transportation.  Okada is the easiest means of movement in Lagos State considering the traffic situation in the state. We suggest that there should be a formal training for all the riders, because I have come to realize that most of them are not trained on the use of the signs of trafic, we suggest that the government should give them these training, so that they can be able to know how to use the roads.

“For us as human right group, representing the masses, we have received a lot of complaints from people, asking us to use our office to appeal to the government, we are not giving the government  Oder, but we are just appealing to them,” he said.

Speaking further, Comrade said, “I agree that okada riders currently constitute nuisance, resulting to increase in crime that is why I am calling on the government to organised training and verification, in order to get the identities of the operators.

The Lagos state government Monday 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.

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.

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.

“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.

“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),” he said.

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.

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