The Lagos State
House of Assembly on Monday threatened to ban commercial motorcycle popularly
known as Okada out rightly from the State.
Some Okada riders
protesting the ban on them from plying 475 roads in the metropolis.
The Speaker of the
House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji made the threat following a report on the destruction
of government properties by the protesting Okada riders along Ikorodu road.
The House frowned
at the attitude of Okada riders in the metropolis, calling on the state
government to further strengthen security agencies to protect lives and
property.
Mr Ikuforiji,
while reacting to the incident said the House would not hesitate to ban Okada
out rightly if the riders continue to destroy government property and constitute
nuisance in the State.
Some Okada riders
went on the rampage in various parts of Lagos State on Monday to protest the
ban on them from plying 475 roads in the metropolis.
At Onipanu, on
Ikorodu Road, the protesters vandalised about 10 BRT buses during the violent
protest against the Lagos State Government.
Armed with sticks,
iron roads and other dangerous weapons, the Okada riders hauled stones at BRT
buses on Ikorodu road at Onipanu and Palmgrove bus stops.
There was
pandemonium in the area and a team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad,
RRS was deployed to the area to quell the protest.
It was gathered
that some arrests were made by the police but the number of arrests is yet to
be confirmed.
Similarly, the
riders also protested in Ikorodu and Ejigbo areas of the state this morning
over the ban on them by government. In Ejigbo, the riders blocked the road,
causing traffic jam in the area while they carried leaves and chanted
anti-government songs. They rejected the ban placed on them from plying 475
roads in Lagos, saying it would cripple their businesses.
The Lagos State
Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the protest, saying
the police moved in on time to quell the protest.
Total war on Okada
Meanwhile, the
Lagos State Government has declared a total war on commercial motorcycle riders
plying the 475 prohibited routes in the Lagos metropolis.
Speaking at a
forum to enlighten military officials in Lagos, the State governor, Babatunde
Fashola solicited the assistance of the army in the implementation of the new
traffic law.
“The military gave
us this democracy, so there must be a continuing partnership to keep it going,”
Mr Fashola said.
The governor
however insisted that such partnership would happen “only where the rule of law
prevails.”
He said: “About
the Okada, for me, I understand the economics of the okada. But it also has the
social effects. Many fathers have lost their children; many husbands have lost
their wives; many children have lost both parents.
“All we are saying
is don’t go on the highways. First because we must even understand, Okadas and
vehicles are automobiles; they are not toys; they are mechanical devices and
therefore for you to even use them you must go and train. That’s why you go to
driving school to go and learn; then they certify you.
“Somebody just
pulls okada from any parts of the country he likes, gets onto a truck, he’s
going to Lagos and then you entrust your life to that man? As if that was not
bad enough, he drives against traffic?