The Lagos State government has urged residents of the state to embrace alternative transportation means like ferries, and first and last-mile mini-buses, as the ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) became effective yesterday, June 1.
The government recently slammed a ban on the Okada in six local government areas and nine Local Council Development Areas (LG/LCDAs) of the state in a bid to stem their unruly activities in Nigeria’s economic nerve centre.
Gbenga Omotoso, the commissioner for information and strategy, who spoke on the development during a live interview on Television Continental (TVC) programme, “Your View”, reiterated that the ban became imperative to ensure the security and safety of Lagosians.
Omotoso said: “During the first quarter of this year, the record shows that over 1,712 accidents were recorded, with Okada constituting 767 or 45 percent of them. Of all the victims, 54 percent are between 30 and 39 years old; our young people.”
Read also: Lagosians adjust to Okada ban reality
He added at a recent meeting with DPOs, Area Commanders and the Commissioner of Police, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu handed down an explicit instruction of ensuring effective enforcement of the ban.
On plans to effectively enforce the ban, Omotosho said: “I want to assure Lagosians that the security agents will do the right thing when enforcing the ban and carry out the exercise in a professional manner because the ban is people-driven. The local governments are involved; community development associations are involved; everyone is involved in taking back our State from the tyranny of Okada.”
On alternatives to Okada, the commissioner said the government launched over 500 First and Last Mile buses. He said 200 have been rolled out in the last week to serve as an alternative to Okada.
The state government is doing a lot in transportation, which is the first pillar of the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. Fifteen jetties are under construction and some of them are at 90 percent completion stage. Some in areas like Apapa, Liverpool, Ijede, Ilashe, Ajido, Ebute-Ero, Mile Two and others are being completed. In the last three years, LAGFERRY has been operating with no single record of the accident; so, Lagosians are encouraged to use these alternatives to ensure the safety of all,” he said.
