Federal Government Reacts To Ban Of Okada In Lagos State

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has aired the federal government’s perception on the recent ban of ‘Okada’ and tricycles in some parts of Lagos State.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, Amaechi, said the federal government does not have the jurisdiction to intervene in the recent ban of ‘okada’ and tricycles in some parts of Lagos State. The matter is strictly a state affair.

“Implementation of transport policy is essentially a state affair,” he said. “So you can’t be telling a state whether they want ‘okada’ or tricycles or not. That’s not our responsibility. It is for the state government to decide what to do.”

However, Amaechi, who is a former Governor of Rivers State, said he could see some reason why the state government made the decision.

“Speaking as a former Governor, when I was in Rivers State, they were using motorcycles to rob and kidnap people; and the police could never get them because they were using cars; so I banned motorcycles and we had peace. The number of accidents was also high – the orthopedic hospital was full every day.

“I don’t know the reason why the Governor of Lagos state banned it; only he can tell you. I am sure he made his decision based on the interests of a majority of Lagosians.

“But he has a problem to face, which is unemployment and an increase in crime.”

Meanwhile, a massive riot and protest has broken out in some parts of Lagos, due to the ban on Okadas and tricycles by the State Government.

Naija News understands that the protest has led to a clash between the police and Okada riders in the Ijora area of the state as the police tried to stop the protesters.