Ban On Lagos Okada Stays -Fashola

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Written by Kunle Oderemi, Lagos Saturday, 04 September 2010

Hopes by commercial motorcyclists that the Lagos state government might soon soft- pedal over the restriction of their operations in the Lagos metropolis dimmed on Friday, when the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, gave reasons for the action.

He said the ban slammed on okada riders from plying some major highways was a resolve by his administration to start implementing all laws and regulations aimed at curbing road accidents.

He spoke when a group of students from the state’s public schools, otherwise called Traffic Safety Ambassadors, visited him at the lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.

He explained that the decision informed some of the many things his administration was doing at present in the transportation and road safety sector.

Decrying the needless loss of lives through motor accidents on the roads in the state, he stated, “We are here because we have a duty; we have a responsibility as a government and that responsibility includes the safety and security of lives. As a government, we have decided to stop talking and start acting.

“We are only restricting their movement in the interest of their own lives and the safety of the public. It is in everybody’s interest that this should be done,” he stressed.

Fashola commended operators for their support and cooperation, adding that “It is safety and security issue and everybody must get involved.”

We are waiting for absolute ban,



Eko o ni baje lai lai,

babapupa:

We are waiting for absolute ban,



Eko o ni baje lai lai,

It should be done in phases. However, in as much I detest the point to which Nigeria (and Lagos in this instance) has descended with the dangerous and shameless use of 'okadas' for public transport, a total restriction in all parts of the state is not feasible in the short term. There are remote places, and they are many, where transportation is sustained by 'okadas' and bicycles. Sad but true.

Really sad but true.