…Enforcement To Begin February 1

By Benjamin Omoike, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has imposed an outright ban on commercial motorcyclist, which comprises of Okada and Keke Maruwa from plying six Local Government Areas in the state.

State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the announcement on Monday at a media briefing at Lagos House, Ikeja.

He said: “Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs):

“Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA.”

The decision is coming three weeks after the State Government hinted that it was working out modalities to guide their operations.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated: “After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the Motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) Menace, the Lagos State Government and the State Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount.

“The figures are scary. From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.

“The rate of crimes aided by Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) keeps rising. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are also used as getaway means by criminals.”

He added: “Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs):

“Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA.

“The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020. This is the first stage of the State Government’s plan to sanitize our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation. The Law is very clear. Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads.

“Major Highways include Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Third Mainland Bridge, Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road.

“Bridges affected by the ban include Iyana- Ipaja Bridge Agege, Dopemu Bridge Agege, Airport/Ikeja Bridge, Agege Motor road/oshodi Loop, Oshodi, Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge, Dorman Long Bridge, Ojuelegba Bridge, National Stadium Flyover, Apapa-Iganmu Bridge, Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge, Liverpool Bridge, Apapa, Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin, Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge, Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network, Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge, Trade Fair Flyover Bridge, Trade Fair Flyover Bridge, Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge, two Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road, Ojota Clover leaf Bridge, Ogudu Bridge and 3rd Mainland Bridge, Maryland flyover.

“Others include Ikeja General Hospital Flyover Bridge, Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja, Opebi Link Bridge, Sheraton-Opebi Bridge, Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge, Carter Bridge, Lagos, Bariga-Ifako Bridge, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge, Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/3rd Mainland Bridge, 3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge, Eko Bridge, Apongbon flyover Bridge, Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess), Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp), Marina/Ikoyi Bridge and Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge,” he said.

The governor said law enforcement agents have been directed that with effect from February 1, 2020, there will be Zero Tolerance for Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the listed Local Governments, highways and bridges. He stressed that members of the public are hereby notified that all offenders and violators will be dealt with in accordance with the Law.