The Lagos State Government has banned the operation of motorcycles (popularly called Okada) and tricycles (popularly known as Keke) across the state.
Gbenga Omotosho, the commissioner for information and strategy, in a statement Monday said the decision was taken after a “robust assessment” between the government and the state security council.
The assessment focused on the safety of using motorcycles and tricycles as a means of transportation. The statement said the casualty figures arising from their use are “scary.”
“From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone,” Mr Omotosho said.
“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.”
The ban, according to the statement, will be enforced in 15 local governments and local council development areas across the state. They are Apapa LGA and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA and Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA and Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA and Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, and Lagos island LGA and Lagos island East LCDA.
The full enforcement will begin on February 1, the statement said.
“This is the first stage of the state government’s plan to sanitise our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation,” the statement said.
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“The law is very clear. Motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads (see below).”
Lagos has one of the worst traffic gridlocks across the world. To avoid spending hours in traffic, commuters often patronise faster – and potentially riskier- alternatives like commercial motorcycles. In recent years, bike-hailing companies such as Gokada, O’Ride, and Max.Ng have sprung up across the city to help residents navigate the incessant traffic snarls.
The government statement did not state specifically if the ban affects the bike-hailing companies. But a spokesperson to the governor clarified to PREMIUM TIMES that they are included in the ban.
“They are not registered with the Lagos government before the ban.”
A spokesperson for O’Ride told PREMIUM TIMES the company would respond to the ban soon.
FULL LIST OF MAJOR ROADS AND BRIDGES AFFECTED BY THE BAN
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
A Yoruba adage, “when the drum starts sounding louder than it should, it is about to burst” Marwa and Okada menace has been resounding beyond an acceptable level. All entreaties have fallen on deaf ears, they have become a law unto themselves. They operate like they are above the law, even if the law enforcement agents are not capable of controlling them, they just look on as these people break all traffic laws right in front of their noses. Other road users are at their mercy as they scratch cars, remove car bumpers and break side mirrors and run away. One Okada rider spat in my face simply because I waited for the traffic light. I almost ran after him but it cautioned myself because I was filled with a blind rage. I actually thought that this administration will restrict their movement to certain areas, if they are banned, no tears for them. They called for it.