August 18, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State Government has extended the ban on the operations of motorcycles, popularly called okada, to four more Local Govt Areas (LGAs) and six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, effective from September 1, 2022.
The State Government had earlier banned operations of okada in six LGAs and nine LCDAs in the state, effective from June 1, 2022, following the high crime rate and accidents related to its operations in the state.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, made this known at a press conference, held at Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday.
According to Oladeinde, the four new LGAs and LCDAs where the ban will be effected include Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu and Mushin local governments.
The affected LCDA are Ikosi-Isherri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Bariga, Odi-Olowo and Ejigbo.
The commissioner said the decision followed meeting of stakeholders, who met on Tuesday, and called for a total ban of okada across the state.
Oladeinde said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved a phased ban recommended by a committee set up by the state government to look into the matter.
He said, “The move is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to decline in accident and crime rate, as well as to continue to bring sanity to our communities within the state.
“For the purpose of emphasis, the state government is now banning Okada operations in a bid to further promote the safety and security of lives and properties in the state.
“This decision is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to decline in Accident and Crime rate, as well as to continue to bring sanity to our communities within the state.
“While the ban is in force, the public are advised to resort to alternative and sustainable means of transportation provided in the State such as the First and Last Mile Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (Lagride) and other acceptable mode of transportation to go about their daily activities.
“Furthermore, the state government’s existing interventions aimed at empowering her citizens should equally be accessed as an alternative means of livelihood for the affected riders.
“These interventions are coordinated by the following MDAs: Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA);(vocational training) Ministry of Wealth Creations and Employment;(internship programmes) Office of Civic Engagement; Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) (Loan for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs, Lagos Economic Acceleration Programme “LEAP”); Ministry of Agriculture (Agric YES); Ministry of Education (CodeLagos Scheme) and many others.”
Oladeinde stated that in view of the foregoing, the state government has directed the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos Command with all relevant stakeholders’ that included the Army, Navy, Air force, and other Security and Law enforcement formations within the State to be complimented by the “Anti-Okada Squad” that will be deployed to these new locations in a bid to stimulate seamless implementation and enforcement of the phase two ban in the state.
“It is important to inform Lagosians that our help lines are still very active, as your feedbacks will further enhance our strategies; as the protection of lives and properties is a collective responsibility of all. For complaints and feedback kindly call any of the following lines:09038208154, 09169655855,09034810153 and 0903309082615”, Oladeinde said.
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