By Hamilton Nwosa (Head The New Diplomat, Business and Data Desk)
Okada and Keke operators in Ijora area of Lagos State are currently clashing with police.
The riders insisted on going about their business despite the ban on their operations by the Lagos State Government, which took effect from February 1, 2020.
Recall last week, the Lagos State government had announced the restriction and ban of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) in six local government areas of the state. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in Ikeja, while addressing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting.
According to him, “The extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in some local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
“They include Apapa LGA and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, then Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA. The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020,” the commissioner said.
He explained that the rate of crimes aided by motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) keeps rising, even as they are used as means of getting away by criminals.
“This is the first stage of the state government’s plan to sanitise our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation. The law is very clear.
Motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and listed roads.
