Lagosians Scream As Sanwo-Olu Bans Okada, Keke

By Adesina Soyooye

Citing security of lives and properties, the Lagos State Government has banned the most popular means of transportation among the masses.

And, those, most likely to be affected are screaming blue murder. They insist lives would become more difficult for them. They say it is not only cheap for them, but also the fastest way to escape the, most times, punishing Lagos traffic.

They also express concern that the ban would worsen the unemployment situation in the state, and flowing from that, criminal activities including armed robbery and kidnapping.

A good number of the operators of Okada and Keke are University graduates. Most of them, however, are illiterates, ignorant of traffic signs and laws.

But rising from an all- embracing security meeting, the government, in a statement signed by Gbenga Omotosho, the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, and citing relevant laws,  said its priority is to safeguard the lives and properties of the people. That will not be compromised, the statement insists.

The government was alarmed that within a couple of years, over 10,000 accidents were recorded, as well as over 600 fatalities.

It also revealed that the number of Okada and Keke assisted crimes remains horrifying.

While appreciating the temporary inconvenience the ban would endanger, it insisted there would be no compromise on the roads and highways affected by the ban which takes effect from February 1st, 2020.

There will be zero tolerance, the statement warned.

Following, the statement which banned both means of transportation.

“After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the Motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) Menace, the Lagos State Government and the State Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount.

“The figures are scary.  From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone.  This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals.  The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.

“The rate of crimes aided by Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) keeps rising.  Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are also used as getaway means by criminals.

“Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs):

“  Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA

    Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA

    Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs

    Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs

    Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs

    Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA

“The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020.

This is the first stage of the State Government’s plan to sanitize our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation.

“The Law is very clear.  Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads.

Major Highways

1. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
2. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
3. Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway
4. Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway
5. Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway
6. Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway
7. Lagos-Badagry Expressway
8. Funsho Williams Avenue
9. Agege Motor Road
10. Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road

Bridges

1. Iyana- Ipaja Bridge Agege
2. Dopemu Bridge Agege
3. Airport/Ikeja Bridge
4. Agege Motor road/oshodi Loop, Oshodi
5. Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge
6. Dorman Long Bridge
7. Ojuelegba Bridge
8. National Stadium Flyover
9. Apapa-Iganmu Bridge
10. Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge
11. Liverpool Bridge, Apapa
12. Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin
13. Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge
14. Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network
15. Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge
16. Trade Fair Flyover Bridge
17. Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge
18. 2 Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road
19. Ojota Clover leaf Bridge
20. Ogudu Bridge
21. 3rd Mainland Bridge
22. Maryland flyover
23. Ikeja General Hospital

Flyover Bridge

24. Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja
25. Opebi Link Bridge
26. Sheraton-Opebi Bridge
27. Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge
28. Carter Bridge, Lagos
29. Bariga-Ifako Bridge
30. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge
31. Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge
32. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn
33. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
34. 3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge
35. Eko Bridge
36. Apongbon flyover Bridge
37. Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess)
38. Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp)
39. Marina/Ikoyi Bridge
40. Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge

“Law enforcement agents have been directed that with effect from February 1, 2020, there will be Zero Tolerance for Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in (on) the listed Local Governments, highways and bridges.

Members of the public are hereby notified that all offenders and violators will be dealt with in accordance with the Law.”