Okada Ban: Defaulters Risk Three-Year Jail Term – LASG

The Lagos State Government has warned that defaulters of the ban on commercial motorcycle popularly known Okada risked going to jail for a minimum of three years.

According to the state’s Commissioner for Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde during a press conference on Wednesday, the Phase 2 ban starts on Friday.

He noted that the Phase 2 okada ban was in four Local Government Areas and six Local Government Development Councils, mainly in Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs); Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA); Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).

He clarified that both the rider and passenger are liable to three years in prison if prosecuted and added that the motorcycles will be crushed in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.

“We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision geared towards combating the monster that okada operation has created, so that sanity can return to our state,” Oladeinde said.

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He said that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority had been deployed to join other security agencies to enforce the ban in the councils.

According to him, the extension of ban to four more LGAs and LCDAs is in the right direction to ensure security of lives and property.

“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation.

“The alternative transportation includes 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.

“The decision and position of government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime,” the commissioner said.