The Lagos State Government has ordered commercial
motorcycle operators popularly known as okada riders out
of the 475 restricted routes across the state in a renewed
attempt to check their excesses .
In 2012, the Lagos State Government banned okada riders
from plying 475 roads in the metropolis , but in recent time,
okada riders are fully back on the restricted routes .
At a news conference in Alausa , Lagos, southwest Nigeria,
on Thursday , the government frowned at the rate the riders
are flouting the traffic law of the state, saying that
government would no longer fold its hands and allow the
impunity to continue.
Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Transportation , Oluseyi
Coker said okada riders are restricted from plying 475
roads out of the 9 ,100 roads in the metropolis in
accordance with the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State.
He said due to the enforcement of the provisions of the
2012 Road Traffic Law , the state witnessed over 81%
reduction in the number of motorcycle -related accidents
reported in the state’ s public health institutions and over
80% reduction in motorcycle - related deaths reported at
public hospitals .
• Commercial motorcycle riders (Okada ) in Lagos before
their restriction.
He added that okada -related deaths had been drastically
reduced from 192 per year to a maximum of 6 per year ,
saying that “ we have saved about 465 lives since October
2012 to date. We have also prevented an average of 476
motorcycle -related injuries monthly and 5, 712 yearly . By
implication, we have prevented a total of 14, 220 motorcycle
accident-related injuries since 2012 . ”
Coker said more recently , there were some months that the
casualty rates were as low as zero percent to the extent
that the so -called ‘’Okada ” wards at some of the state’ s
public hospitals had become empty.
“ However , it is disheartening to see that motorcycle
operators have resurfaced on our restricted roads
especially in areas such as Ikeja, Isolo, Apapa , Agege , Epe ,
Ijede, Shomolu/ Bariga , Ifako Ijaiye/ Ojokoro , Ikorodu,
Mushin, Ketu , Ojota, Lagos Island, Ojodu and Badagry in
spite of the various efforts of the past administrations in
the state to ensure that the menace of motorcycle
operators is curbed and the rate of accidents, injuries and
death is reduced drastically in the state.
“ This administration , being a responsive and responsible
government committed to the protection of lifes and
property, safety of all Lagosians and visitors alike will not
fold its hands and allow indiscipline , flagrant disobedience
of law and order , loss of lives and property of innocent
citizens of the state to continue unabated .
“ It is in view of this that I call on the leaders of transport
unions and executives of various motorcycle operators
( registered and non -registered) to ensure that motorcycle
operators strictly adhere to the various laws regulating their
operations as contained in Section 3 of the Road Traffic
Law as well as desist from plying any of the 475 roads ,
including highways and bridges restricted for their
operations out of the 9, 200 roads in the state . The law on
motorcycle operation in the state is sacrosanct.
“ Motorcycle operators should please note that henceforth ,
anyone found to have violated the law shall be dealt with in
accordance with the Road Traffic Law , RTL 2012 Section 3
Subsection 5 which stipulates that “ Any person who fails to
comply with any of the provisions of this Section commits
an offence and shall be liable on conviction to :
imprisonment for a term of three ( 3 ) years or render
community service in accordance with the provisions of
Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law
of Lagos State and have his vehicle forfeited to the state ,”
he stated .
He said while the Lagos State Government is magnanimous
enough not to have outrightly banned motorcycle
operations in the state like other states in the federation
but rather restricted its activities , the state would not
hesitate to deal decisively with any operator who violates
thelLaw in order to serve as deterrent to others .
“ To those operators who are fond of driving against traffic
( one- way) , especially on Oshodi- Apapa Expressway, Lagos -
Abeokuta Expressway and Ikorodu road amongst others, I
implore you to desist from this dangerous and unlawful act
and make the safety of your lives, that of your passengers
and other road users to be paramount. Many lives that
could contribute meaningfully to the development of the
state and that of our country have been lost through this
dangerous act .
“ The law enforcement agents in the state : the Nigeria
Police, Vehicle Inspection Service ( VIS ) , Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority ( LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety
Commission ( FRSC ) have been directed to henceforth
ensure full enforcement and zero tolerance .
“ In as much as motorcycle is not approved by the State
Government as a means of public transportation in the
state, I implore Lagosians who are fond of using motorcycle
for moving from one place to the other to ensure that they
also comply with the law as your safety is our concern . I
urge you to cooperate with the State Government, avoid the
use of motorcycle on the restricted routes including bridges
and highways and wear a standard protective helmet
whenever you are to board motorcycle , ” he said .
“ Above all , do not hesitate to caution the riders whenever
they want to flout the law . Lawlessness and disregarding
law and order must stop on our roads and this is a
collective responsibility of all to ensure that sanity reigns
on our roads , ” he added .
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