TheCable

The Lagos state government says violators of the ban on commercial motorcycles, better known as okada, in some LGAs of the state, are liable to an imprisonment term of three years.

Frederic Oladeinde, commissioner for transport, issued the warning on Wednesday during a press briefing at Ikeja, Lagos state capital.

On August 18, the Lagos state government extended the ban on the operations of okada, in four additional LGAs and six LCDAs in the state, which was expected to take effect on September 1.

The Lagos government has so far placed a ban on okada in 10 LGAs in the state.

The affected LGAs are Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, Apapa, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, and Mushin.

Giving an update on the second phase of the ban, Oladeinde said the state government had provided “viable” means of transportation for residents of the affected LGAs.

The commissioner added that the state government has the backing of the law and enforcement agents to implement the ban on okada in the 10 affected LGAs of the state.

“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise Okada stranded without any viable transport alternative and we have 200 more first and last-mile buses being deployed to the affected areas,” he said.

“We have wrapped up the BRT buses in those areas. We also have the LAGRIDE ( referring to Lagos e-hailing taxi scheme) which is operating in those areas and we have other viable transport options which people can use in the absence of Okada.

“We implore the general public to comply as both the riders and passengers are both liable to three years imprisonment if caught and that bike will be confiscated,” he said.

“We will crush that bike and the public will see the crushing process. This is in line with the provisions of section 46, sub-section 1, 2 and 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.

“Anybody caught riding Okada both passengers and riders will be sent to jail for three years. The law backs it and we are very serious about it. The government is serious and it will implement this and we, the enforcement agencies, backing the government to ensure we implement this ban in 10 LGAs and their respective LCDAs.”

In May, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, announced a ban on commercial motorcycle operations in six LGAs.