By Akinwale Kasali
Following the refusal of commercial motorcyclists to yield to the warnings of the Lagos State Government not to ply restricted roads, mostly highways, the government has read a riot act.
Operatives of the State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Agency have, therefore, commenced a clampdown on illegal motorcycle operators plying restricted areas, which include highways, and some inner streets across the State.
This move was imminent following the high rate of accidents involving motorcyclists, in which many have lost their lives, while others are in the hospital after sustaining life threatening injuries.
The government had earlier read a riot act where it warned that any motorcyclists that go contrary to the law would be severely punished, while the government would also take possession of their motorcycles.
Yet, the motorcyclists remained defiant, not yielding to the warnings and laid down laws.
On the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, Cele-Mile 2 expressway, Badagry-Iyana Iba axis, the Lagos-Abeokuta axis, motorcycles in their thousands flood the highway, conveying passengers from Oshodi to Ikeja, down to Sango-Toll gate axis, despite the warnings of the government.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed that the clampdown which started on Wednesday, had 125 motorcycles impounded for flouting traffic regulations around Ejigbo and Cele bus-stops.
He stated that the Agency was compelled to embark on the crackdown, sequel to series of complaints received on daily basis from innocent members of the public on the criminal activities perpetrated by the illegal commercial motorcycle operators, particularly, early in the morning and late at night.
He said: “We are going to make sure that there is total compliance with the Lagos Traffic Regulations by all commercial motorcycle operators in all our Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
“In accordance with the Traffic Laws, every motorcycle operator must wear crash a helmet, be above 18 years, not ride on kerb/median/road-setbacks, avoid restricted routes, not carry more than one passenger/pregnant woman/Adult with baby/Child below 12 years, not install any musical gadgets, must wear an apron, not operate beyond 10pm, operate with a rider’s permit and, have their motorcycles registered with Government”, he added.
According to the Chairman, research conducted by the government revealed that most riders of the illegal commercial motorcycles are not from Nigeria but from neighbouring countries, adding that some of them are also involved in criminal activities in the State.
He, therefore, warned all commercial motorcycle operators to ensure that their motorcycles are duly registered with the Government as anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.
He, also, insisted that only government registered motorcycles are permitted to carry passengers.
While warning the general public, especially motorists to ensure that their valuable items are safely kept while in traffic, the Chairman solicited for the cooperation of all residents in providing useful security information about criminal activities around them to security agencies through the Lagos State free Emergency Toll Lines 112 & 767.
