Lagos State government, yesterday said residents and commercial motorcyclists, who fail to comply with the directive on the ban on operation of motorcycles, risk three-year jail term, as the second phase on the ban commences today, September 1.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, who disclosed this yesterday, said the state government has directed law enforcement agencies and security personnel to ensure total compliance with the ban on okada operation in all the affected local councils, including the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with effect from tomorrow.
Speaking at a press briefing organised by the Inter-ministerial committee on Okada ban to reiterate the ban in additional four local councils and their LCDAs, Oladeinde re-emphasised the need for total compliance by riders for the security and safety of life of residents.
He said Lagos State government had put in place various interventions to ease inconveniences that the development might bring on the people, adding that there was need to obey the Lagos State Traffic law as both the rider and passenger would be penalised.
The commissioner also said the okada ban in the affected areas was in the right direction and that the government was committed to ensure total enforcement as it had provided alternative means of transportation which include the Bus Rapid Transit, LAGRIDE, first and Last Mile buses.
“Permit me to also remind you that the state government has directed the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos Command with all relevant Stakeholders’ (i.e Army, Navy, Air force, other Security and Law enforcement formations within the State) to be complemented by the “Anti-Okada Squad”, be deployed to these new locations in a bid to stimulate seamless implementation and enforcement of the phase 2 ban of okada operations in the state.
“Finally, we implore the general public to join hands together with the State Government by complying with the decision of the government geared towards combating the monster that the okada operation has created, so that sanity can return to our state,” he said.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, restated the need for riders to comply with the directives on the ban of okada in four local councils and six local councils as there would be no going back on total enforcement.
