Lagos State government has insisted that Okada riders and their passengers must abide by government ban restricting them from some local government areas in the State.
According to the commissioner for transport Frederic Oladeinde any rider and passenger who defied the ban in those areas will be jailed for three years. He was addressing news reporters yesterday as the ban kicks into effect on September 1.
Some of the local goverment areas include Kosofe, with two LCDAs-Ikosi Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu; Oshodi-Isolo with two LCDAs-Isolo and Ejigbo; Shomolu with one LCDA-Bariga and Mushin with one LCDA-Odi-Olowo.
“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise these okadas stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation such as the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation to go about their daily activities.
“As for the riders, we have also made available existing interventions aimed at empowering citizens as an alternative means of livelihood,”
“We implore the general public to comply as both the rider and passenger are both liable to 3 years in prison if prosecuted, while their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
“It is important to inform Lagosians that our help lines are still very active as your feedback will further enhance our strategies; as the protection of lives and properties is a collective responsibility of all. For complaint and feedback kindly call any of the following lines: 09038208154, 09169655855, 09034810153 and 09033090826.”