The Lagos State Government has distanced itself from a list of restricted routes for commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke Marwa) being circulated on social media.
According to Gbenga Omotosho, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos has not taken a definite action on the operations of commercial okada and keke Marwa riders on some routes across the state.
Contrary to the news in circulation on the list of restricted areas, especially on the social media, purporting that the government has banned okada and keke Marwa on some routes, the government declared that no such action has been taken, adding that the list is false and unofficial. It should be disregarded.
According to the state government, a definite position on the issue will soon be made public through the official media channels of the government.
Mr Omotoso last week told State House Correspondents after the Security Council Meeting held at the Lagos House, Ikeja on January 13 that the delay was informed by need for the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to achieve a generally accepted solution to what has been termed the okada menace.
He said: “We have just concluded our routine security meeting, during which the issue of okada and tricycles was discussed exhaustively. For now, no major decision has been taken on the matter. There are several factors for this development, but the main reason was to reckon with various opinions expressed by stakeholders.
“So many people have made representations to the government concerning commercial motorcycles and tricycles, including human rights groups, unionists and traders. They came up with many reasonable observations; all their views have been collated and are being considered.
“We feel it will not be good enough for the government to take a final decision on the matter without considering the opinions of the stakeholders. That would be against the spirit of democracy for which the Sanwo-Olu administration stands.”
Omotoso said whatever decision is taken by the government, the security of lives of all Lagosians will remain paramount to the Sanwo-Olu administration.
The commissioner however, stressed the government’s plan to step up the enforcement of the Lagos State Traffic Law as well as intensify its sensitisation of commercial motorcycles and tricycle riders on the need to obey the law.
