Lagos Deputy Gov Analyses Importance Of Okada Ban

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its decision to ban commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) on major roads in Lagos metropolis.

In a statement issued by his office on Friday, the state Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat said that the government was determined to reduce accidents and vices associated with the use of motorcycles and tricycles.

Hamzat said that the ban would promote the security of lives of Lagos residents.

He said the government took the decision after evaluating the rate of crime and accidents recorded in the state.

“It is not to punish anybody or restrict people from doing certain jobs; the reality is that people are dying, security of our children is being compromised, and the government must act.

“What this administration is doing is just to enforce the law that the House of Assembly passed which must have been vigorously scrutinised.

“The ban is in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Reform Law of 2012. The law that has been in existence since 2012,” he said.

Hazmat noted that the law was revised in 2018.

“The law says that commercial motorcycles and tricycles are restrained from plying major highways, certain roads and all bridges,” he said.

“The law was revisited due to the scary figures of fatal accidents in the state as against the claims that the ban was targeted at anyone or group.

“We have 27 general hospitals in Lagos and close to 3,000 private hospitals.

” Using the statistics from the general hospitals alone, an average of 28 deaths related to okada are recorded monthly. It is therefore important for us as a government to act.”

He said that since the ban, the rate of accidents on Lagos roads had significantly reduced.

The deputy governor said motorcycles and tricycles were being used by some unpatriotic citizens as tools for crime such as theft and drug trafficking.

He said that the modes of transportation were becoming avenues to commit crimes and the government would not wait until major disasters would happen before acting.