Okada Ban: Lagos Govt. Affirms June 1 Deadline

The Lagos State Government says the seizure of commercial motorcycles by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, in spite the June 1 deadline.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State had on Wednesday announced fresh total ban on Okada riders’ operations in six Local Government Areas, which are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Suruler commencing from June 1.

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

Omotoso said that the Law stated that ”no persons shall ride, drive or propel a motorcycle or tricycle on a major highway within the state, and any person in contravention of this provision commits an offence” and would be made to face the wrath of the law.

”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.

”The February 1, 2020, 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.