TheCable

The Oyo government says it has no intention of placing a ban on commercial motorcycle operations, locally known as ‘okada’, in the state.

Recently, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, announced a ban on okada operations in six LGAs of the state, which took effect on June 1.

Local government areas affected by the ban include Ikeja, Surulere, Eti Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.

The directive was announced some days after some commercial motorcyclists lynched a sound engineer identified as David Imoh in the Lekki axis of the state.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, in a series of tweets on Saturday, said the state will not replicate the development in Lagos.

Asides from stating that okada is an important means of transportation, Makinde said a ban will leave a lot of people unemployed.

“We take decisions based on data, science and logic. If they ban them in Lagos, how long will it take them to realise the benefits? The situation in Lagos is the same as ours,” he said.

“We have no intention of banning Okada. We will regulate them, we will identify them and the criminals will be dealt with. I have seen people with their cars jump okada to go to the bank. They are serving a purpose.

“We have started identity management. If we say ban because Lagos did it, what next? Those riding Okada legitimately you take them out of business.

“When we identify them, who, what, where, we let the people know that there may be criminal elements.

“If we wholesale send them out, we will have more criminal issues. They could become armed robbers.”

Meanwhile, the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) has said okada riders now need to obtain a licence to operate within the city and its suburbs.

Bello Abdullateef, director of the directorate of road transport service (DRTS), FCTA, while speaking during a media briefing on Thursday said aside from traffic violations, the riders were also being used to deliver hard drugs across the city.