Lagos State Governor threatens clampdown on errant motorists, okada riders

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday read the riot act to commercial motorcycle operators, popularly called Okada riders, commercial buses and street hawkers, saying the state government would no longer tolerate their nefarious activities on the streets and highways which has caused untold hardship for the people of the state in recent times.

Addressing Government House Correspondents shortly after an emergency Security Council Meeting which he chaired, Ambode said it had become evident that traffic crimes and robbery are mostly as a result of the menace of Okada riders and street hawkers, while recalcitrant commercial buses have become lawless and reckless on the road.

He said the Council made far reaching decisions at the meeting in line with the commitment of his administration to ensure security of lives and property as well as the enforcing of the Rule of Law.

The Governor said the government would not allow a few notorious elements to cause a breakdown in law and order and upset the peace that the state has enjoyed over the years.

To this end, he said he has directed the full enforcement of the Lagos Road Traffic Laws, especially as it concerns the restriction of okada and tricycle operations.

He reminded that Schedule II of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012 restricts Okada, tricycle (Keke Marwa), carts and wheel barrows on some routes including Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and Third Mainland Bridge.

Others routes include Eti-Osa/Lekki – Epe Expressway, Lagos – Badagry Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa/Lekki Coastal Road.

The Governor therefore said, “Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction as stipulated in the law.

“Henceforth, all commercial vehicles, except Rapid Transport buses, must use only the service lanes in accordance with existing traffic laws. All conductors of Commercial buses must sit down in their buses and keep the doors closed at all times while in motion. It is against the Law for conductors to hang on the bus doors and leave the doors open. Any  contravention will be met with severe punitive measures.

“Commercial buses can only drop and pick passengers at officially designated bus stops henceforth. Any illegal and indiscriminate picking and dropping of passengers is against the law.

“Other road users who break traffic laws will pay a compulsory traffic fine in accordance with the law. Mobile Traffic courts are being introduced to prosecute offenders promptly.”

Governor Ambode also took time to speak on the traffic situation in Apapa axis of the state, attributing the gridlock to the situation of tank farms and daily activities of petrol tankers in the area.

[Punchng]