The government of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital on Monday crushed 1,500 seized motorcycles popularly called Okada. The state said this was in line with the ban on Okada operation in the 10 Local Governments (LGs) and 15 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation supervised the crushing of the motorcycles at the Task Force yard, Alausa, Ikeja. He stated that the exercise shows that the Government is not rescinding its decision to apprehend, impound, and crush recalcitrant motorcycles plying the restricted areas.
Osiyemi further emphasized that the regular crushing exercise is to further show Okada operators, riders, and passengers alike to stay off the ban areas to avoid 3 years imprisonment if apprehended and prosecuted in line with the Transport Reform Law, (TSRL) 2018.
The ban on Okada in specified regions is crucial for maintaining order, reducing risks associated with unauthorized motorcycle operation and also improving security,” Osiyemi added.
For the avoidance of doubt, the prohibited Local Government Areas include; Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa.
The Local Council Development Areas under them which the ban also covers include; Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba and Coker Aguda, with others at; Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo.
The Transportation Commissioner urged okada operators to obey the ban order in the prohibited areas, adding that Okada is not a safe means of commercial transportation and does not fit into the transport policy of the State.