Lagos State government, yesterday, crushed 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).
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.”
MEANWHILE, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has said it charged about 40 environmental offenders to court weekly.
Corps Marshal of the agency, Gbemisola Akinpelu, who disclosed this, yesterday, said the agency plans stakeholders meetings across the senatorial district of Lagos to address issues affecting its operations.
She lamented that despite efforts to sanitise the state, the figure of those contravening regulations keeps increasing. Akinpelu claimed that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) are making the agency work difficult as they often attack its officers during operations.
Akinpelu said: “It’s important to emphasise the indispensable role of environmental sanitation in our communities. As we strive for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, it is essential to recognise the responsibility for everybody. Let us always remember that the success of environmental sanitation and management in Lagos depends on the active involvement of our communities.”
She further said the agency has adequate number of officers for enforcement operations, adding its officers will keep giving the best of service to the state.
“We also arrest those defecating along the road. We don’t release goods after seizure but we still see the offenders selling the same goods on the road after being released from the court. I am surprised how they get the money to go back to the road to sell goods, so we need the help of everyone to tell them about the danger of selling on the road and sensitize those patronising them. We have arrested many with dangerous weapons and toy guns. We need help to sanitise the state,” she said.
