Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that commercial motorcycles ( Okadas) and tricycles ( Keke Napep) are banned from operating in six Local Governments and nine Local Council Development Areas of the state.
This was contained in a press statement by Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso , titled ‘ clampdown on traffic law violators ’ on Wednesday .
Omotosho lamented attacks on task force officials in the state, stating that the state government would continue to enforce its traffic laws to maintain sanity on roads and save lives .
He said , “ Amid the enforcement , which began on Tuesday, commercial motorcyclists have taken laws into their hands and attacked the Task Force team, injuring officers carrying out their lawful duties . The perpetrators of this violence will be identified and made to face the law.
However, the officers were undeterred by the criminal activities of the motorcyclists ; 131 motorcycles were seized ; 15 riders arrested and prosecuted; and 150 vehicles impounded in various areas of the State .
“ The Task Force subsequently arraigned and prosecuted 35 drivers of impounded vehicles , who had to forfeit their cars to the State for driving against oncoming traffic ; 62 drivers who plied the BRT Corridor were fined N 70, 000 each ; and 28 tricycle owners were also arraigned in court .
The Task Force was again attacked in Ikeja , on Wednesday. It retreated to avoid an escalation of the crisis . The team , however , mobilised more personnel to quell the riots started by the riders.
“ Traffic enforcement agencies will continue to assert their authority. They have been directed to arraign and prosecute all violators to ensure that penalties are apportioned in consonance with the law .
“ For the avoidance of doubt , commercial motorcycles and tricycles remain restricted from operating in six Local Governments and nine Local Council Development Areas – Apapa LG ; Lagos Mainland LG ; Surulere LG ; Ikeja LG ; Eti -Osa LG ; Lagos Island LG ; Onigbongbo LCDA ; Ojodu LCDA ; Ikoyi- Obalende LCDA ; Iru- Victoria Island LCDA ; Lagos Island East LCDA ; Apapa Iganmu LCDA ; Yaba LCDA ; Itire- Ikate LCDA ; and Coker -Aguda LCDA .
“ The Lagos State Government will continue to dialogue with stakeholders in the transportation sector – NURTW , RTEAN , ANACOWA , TOOAN , TODAL , and MOALS – to restore sanity on Lagos roads and halt the disregard for the Lagos Traffic Law ( 2018) . ”
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