June 1 Deadline Will Not Stop Enforcement Of Okada Ban – Sanwo-Olu

Despite the June 1 deadline, the Lagos State Task Force will continue to seize commercial motorcycles, according to the Lagos State Government.

On Wednesday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a new comprehensive ban on Okada riders’ operations in six LGAs: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, and Surulere.

Security operatives should apply the proscription order across the designated councils starting June 1, he stated.

• Related Story: Sanwo-Olu Bans Okada In Six Local Councils, Nine LCDAs, Effective From June 1st – Here Are The Affected Areas

Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday that the deadline does not render the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 unlawful.

According to Omotoso, the law states that “no individual shall ride, drive, or propel a motorbike or tricycle on a major roadway within the state,” and that anyone who does so “commits an offence” and will face the consequences.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, he added, the Lagos State Task Force, led by CSP Shola Jejeloye, continued to police the law, seizing 238 motorcycles in Lekki.

According to him, the Task Force seized 195 motorcycles in Iba, on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, where it was fiercely resisted on Thursday.

”The riders were operating on highways and bridges in flagrant disobedience of the law because, according to them, they are free to ply unauthorised routes till June 1. This is wrong.

” February 1, 2020, the directive has not been reversed. The enforcement was weakened by COVID-19, which affected all areas of life. Now, the action is being reinforced,” he said.

Residents who came out in support of the ban on commercial motorbikes in the six local government areas were praised by the commissioner.

He echoed Gov. Sanwo-statement Olu’s that the ban on the six local governments was the “initial step” of the action, which was prompted by safety and security concerns.

• See Also: Okada Ban: We’re Only After Foreigners Who Ride Okadas In Lagos — CP