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LASTMA Blames Commuters For Keke, Okada Menace

Published

5 years ago

March 3, 2021

The General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olajide Oduyoye, has blamed Lagos residents for encouraging the activities of Keke and Okada in the state. According to him, they do so by patronising them. This is despite the ban of the two and three-wheeler vehicles from the majority of the state’s roads.

Oduyoye was guest to Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM on Tuesday. He said the activities of the motorcycles and tricycles on Lagos road were a big challenge to LASTMA.

He said, “Regarding the rise in Keke Marwa and Okada usage, even though they are banned on certain roads, the argument that I can make is that the Okada and Keke Marwa cannot force anyone into their vehicles.

“It is the citizens and those working in Lagos that are patronising them and encouraging them. They are making sure that they can sustain this illegality. I want to place the blame on their head squarely. That is the truth.”

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He added, “The average Keke rider may not have a school certificate but why would two PhD holders – educated persons – go on an Okada knowing full well that it had been banned. So, who should the government target? The passengers or the operator? There is a big challenge.

“Does it mean that when the governor explains the reason why there is a policy is on ground and the benefit to us in generality, are there certain people who do not believe and think they have the law in their hands and can do what they want?”

The LASTMA boss said it is quite difficult to take the Keke and Okada off the roads. This is because the citizens have decided to side with illegality instead of helping officials combat the menace.

In an exclusive interview with our correspondent in January, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, stated that Keke and Okada were not in Lagos transportation master plan.