Okada Ban Defaulters Risk Three Years Jail Term – Lagos Govt

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government of Lagos State has declared that violators of the ban on commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) in the state are at risk of spending at least three years in prison.

Naija News recalls that the government had in August restricted the operation of Okada in some parts of the state.

Giving an update on the government’s action, the state Commissioner for Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said enforcement for the Phase 2 ban will commence this Friday.

The commissioner, who spoke at a news conference in Ikeja on Wednesday, said that the Phase 2 okada ban was in four Local Government Areas and six Local Government Development Councils.

He listed the four LGA and six LGDCA affected to include Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs); Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA); Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).

Oladeinde said: ”We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted.

”Their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.

”We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision geared towards combating the monster that okada operation has created, so that sanity can return to our state.”

He said that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority had been deployed to join other security agencies to enforce the ban in the councils.

Oladeinde said it became necessary to extend the ban to four more LGAs and LCDAs to ensure security of lives and property of the citizens.

He added: ”As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation.

”The alternative transportation include the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation, to go about their daily activities.

”The decision and position of government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime.”

On his part, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso said the government was not leaving the okada riders stranded.

Omotoso said that the riders could approach the government as a cooperative to get the first and last mile buses.