Operatives of Lagos Police Command have commenced full enforcement of the state government’s order banning the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, in some local government areas of the state.
The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently announced a fresh ban on the operation of the Okada operators in six local governments and nine local council development areas of the state, effective from Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
The affected local government councils: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.
The state government also implored Lagosians to maintain calmness saying there is no need for panic over the planned enforcement of the Okada ban.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, in a statement, said measures have been put in place to forestall any disturbance, adding that the ban will be enforced without any compromise.
“There is no need for any anxiety over the enforcement of the ban, which has been hailed by the majority of Lagosians as a reinforcement of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012 (amended in 2018),” the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, as the enforcement commences, the Lagos Ferry Services said it has deployed more boats and increased daily operational trips at terminals and jetties located within areas in the state where activities of commercial motorcyclists have been banned.
The Head, Public Affairs, LAGFERRY, Akeem Odusina, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.
The terminal and jetties, according to the statement, include the Badore terminal, Badore; Ipakodo terminal, Ikorodu; Five Cowries terminal, Ikoyi; CMS/Victoria Island terminal; Liverpool terminal, Apapa and Ilaje Bariga terminal, Bariga.
In the statement, Odusina noted that “travelling by water is 100 per cent traffic-free and there are first-mile and last-mile buses available at the terminal/jetty parks to take passengers to their final destination.”
While assuring the commuting public of safe, fast, reliable and convenient experience on the waterways, the statement added that the terminals have secured ample car park spaces.