About 1,500 motorcycles popularly called ‘okada’ impounded during enforcement of the ban on their operation in the ten local councils and 15 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) were crushed yesterday by Lagos State government.
Speaking during the exercise, the state commissioner for transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, reiterated the government’s commitment to safety and security of lives and property.
Osiyemi who supervised the crushing of the motorcycles at the taskforce yard in Ikeja, stated that the exercise showed that the government is not rescinding its decision to apprehend, impound and crush motorcycles plying restricted areas.
He emphasised that the regular crushing exercise is to further reinforce the need for operators and passengers to stay off the ban areas, avoid three years imprisonment if apprehended in line with the Transport Reform Law, (TSRL) 2018.
The commissioner said: “The ban on Okada in specified regions is crucial for maintaining order, reducing risks associated with unauthorised motorcycle operation and also improving security. For avoidance of doubt, the prohibited local councils include; Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa.
The local council development areas under them, which the ban also covers include; Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba and Coker Aguda, with others at; Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo.”
