Tension in Lagos as ban on okada takes effect today

IBRAHIM QUADRI

Lagos State Government on Monday said residents should not entertain fear or anxiety over the enforcement of total ban of commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada today on six local governments area of the State.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, he noted the anxiety that has followed the planned enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles in six local governments should be discarded.

The affected local governments are: Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, Eti-Osa and Ikeja.

The statement further noted that law enforcement agencies went on a roadshow Monday 31st May to assure the public that the ban would be enforced without compromise.

The State  Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on May 18, after a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, had given a fresh directive to enforce ban of okada without any compromise.

The ban came on the heels of the gruesome murder of a sound engineer, Sunday David Imoh, by a mob of Okada riders at the Admiralty Way, Lekki over an argument on N100 fare.

The mob was also said to have attacked and injured the band’s saxophonist, Francis Olatunji, and the keyboardist, Philip Balogun.

The governor explained that the fresh ban on okada followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of commercial motorcycles.

He added that the government took the decision in line with the state’s Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, to immediately address the chaos and menace created by operations of commercial motorcyclists in the listed areas.

Sanwo-Olu added, “Government has provided last mile buses, medium capacity and high-capacity buses in the affected areas for the convenience of commuters. Before the end of the year, we are also bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals. We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Given credence to the Governor’s order, Omotoso reiterated “there is no need for any anxiety over the enforcement of the ban, which has been hailed by the majority of Lagosians as a reinforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012 (amended in 2018).

“The Government wishes to advise all law-abiding citizens to go about their businesses without any fear whatsoever as measures have been put in place to forestall any disturbance. Lagosians and visitors are urged to co-operate with the law enforcement agencies in our collective interest.”