The Lagos State Government has warned that the commercial operation of Okada will be banned in the state along restricted routes and the state’s highways, adding that anyone caught will be prosecuted.
Recall that in May 2022, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu indefinitely banned the operation of commercial motorcycles in six local government areas.
The six local governments are: Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa. This is in line with the State Transport Sector Reforms Act, 2018.
“After a critical review of our control of Okada operations in the first six local government areas we controlled on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the threat has not subsided. We now propose to ban okada operations across highways and bridges within these six local governments and their local council development areas with effect from 1 June 2022.
“It is a phased ban that we are starting during this period, and we hope that in the short time that this ban is in effect, Okada riders in other places where their activities are not yet banned will be able to do something else. We have now given notice that we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement commences. Enforcement will be full,” Sanwo-Olu said.
In August 2022, the ban was extended to Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu and Mushin and six local council development areas under four local government areas.
Despite the ban, okada operators operating illegally in 10 local government areas have caused all manner of problems for road users.
A ban on commercial operation of Okada on restricted routes and all state highways is still in place, so anyone caught still operating will not get away with it.
“We issue this warning note to every okada operator and their passengers who consider themselves sacred cows that cannot be touched. It will no longer be business as usual. Those caught operating commercially in restricted corridors will face court,” Lagos State Environment and Special Offenses Enforcement Unit Chairman, CSP. Shola Jejeloy issued the warning in a notice shared on social media handles in the state on Sunday.
