The Lagos State Government has clarified the deadline issued to operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada in the State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos State Government made the clarification in a statement released on Thursday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
According to the statement, the seizure of okada by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas.
The government clarified that commercial motorcycle operation was banned in the State since February 1, 2020 and that the enforcement was weakened by COVID-19.
Omotoso stressed in the statement that what is being enforced is the ban of February 1, 2020.
The statement reads: “The seizure of commercial motorcycles by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas.
“The six local governments are: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Surulere.
“The deadline does not invalidate the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which states 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 will be made to face the wrath of the law.
“The government praises Lagosians who have come out to support the ban on commercial motorcycles in the six local government areas, which Governor Sanwo-Olu has described as the “first phase” of the action triggered by safety and security concerns.
“The riders were operating on highways and bridges in flagrant disobedience of the law because, according to them, they are free to ply unauthorized 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”.