The Lagos State Government has extended the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada to four more Local Government Areas and five Local Council Development Areas.
As gathered, the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed full enforcement from September 1, 2022.
Kosofe Local Government, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Shomolu Local Government, and Mushin Local Government are the additional councils where the whole Okada prohibition is enforced.
Other LCDAs include Ikosi-Isherri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Bariga, and Odi-Olowo.
The use of commercial motorbikes on highways, as well as in six local governments and nine LCDAs, had been outlawed by the governor, Sanwo-Olu in May. He declared the ban to be “indefinite and complete.”
The governor named Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa as the six local governments. The prohibition came after a restriction on the use of commercial motorbikes in February 2020.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 guided the government’s decision to address the commotion and danger caused by Okada activities in the designated locations right away. He instructed the police to uphold the ruling without exception.
He said, “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six Local Government and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.
Following the outcry as a result of the ban, the governor insisted on May 24 that the state government would move forward with its proposed ban on motorcycles, adding that the government and security services were in agreement with the ban’s implementation in the state’s designated motorcycle-free zones.
Additionally, he gave the citizens of Lagos his word that the state’s security system would not be jeopardized in any manner, allowing them to go about their daily lives and conduct business without fear or favour.
He said, “The security meeting gives us an opportunity for us to review the recent pronouncement on the future banning of Okada (motorcycles) in some selected local governments and LCDAs.
“We are able to put strategies in place. All of us were able to identify a lot of other things we need to do to embark on advocacy and ensure that we communicate effectively and efficiently to citizens. And that is why you see us giving out handbills in all of the major languages that we have in the country.
“There is a radio jingle being sent out to also communicate to people. I am also aware that there is a plan for advocacy on television stations as well.
“It is a people-driven initiative that we all agreed to live and to comport ourselves in a similar manner. And we know what has been the effect of this. So, I am happy that all of us, the security operatives and government are on the same page with this and we will also be going ahead with our plans.”
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