The Lagos State government has stated that violators of the commercial motorcycle ban, also known as Okada, face a three-year prison sentence.
Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, made the announced at a press conference in Lagos.
The Commissioner stated that the state government has the support of the law and enforcement agents for the implementation of the Okada ban, noting that defaulters are subject to a three-year prison sentence.
Mr Oladehinde added that the state government has provided alternate modes of transportation for passengers and that the phase two okada ban will go into effect on Friday in four local government areas and six local council development areas (LCDAs).
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“As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers who patronise Okada stranded without any viable transport alternative and we have 200 more first and last-mile buses being deployed to the affected areas.
“We have wrapped up the BRT buses in those areas. We also have the LAGRIDE ( referring to Lagos e-hailing taxi scheme) which is operating in those areas and we have other viable transport options which people can use in the absence of Okada.
“We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted.
“Their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, 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, ” he said.
The Commissioner revealed that 200 officials of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been deployed alongside other security agencies in order to enforce the ban.
He added “The decision and position of the 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.”
