THE Lagos State Government has reiterated its resolve to regulate the activities of motorcycle operators to ensure security, safety and protection of lives and property of Lagosians.

In a joint press conference by the ministries of Environment and Transportation, the state government lamented the continued illegal activities of the operators in spite of the various measures put in place to curtail the conducts.

The commissioner of Transportation Mr. Kayode Opeifa cautioned  that the state government will no longer hesitate to deal with any motorcycle riders that violate the law. He observed that apart from other forms of illegalities, some of the riders are fond of riding against the traffic, causing avoidable accidents in the process.

*okada-riders

“Motorcycle operators are fond of riding against the flow of traffic (one – way) and in the attempt, knock down innocent pedestrians, cause accidents leading to maiming of their passengers or other road users or the death of these citizens occurring as a result of spinal cord or head injuries sustained in the accident” he stated.

He warned that henceforth no person shall operate a motorcycle in Lagos State without a valid Rider’s Licence or without a proper registration, adding that all motorcycles must be road worthy and must have the two side mirrors fixed on them before usage.

Both operators and passengers Motorcycle must also wear standard Crash helmet with full head protection no motorcycle operator shall carry more than one passenger at a time.

The state government also banned the carriage of load by any motorcycle or the usage of stereo, be it commercial or private.

“No Motorcycle should carry any load at any time, no underage person (under 18 years old) under any circumstance should ride a Motorcycle or be carried on a motorcycle, no stereo or any other musical instrument should be fixed on the motorcycle, no other horn except that of motorcycle should be fixed on it, no Motorcycle operator should operate beyond 8:00pm in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Ikeja and 10:00pm in other areas in the state”

According to the new Act Okada operators must not carry, pregnant women, school age children, women with children on their back and also must respect and obey all traffic laws and regulations.

These laws include: No riding against traffic or direction prohibited by law, no riding on the Kerb, Median or Road setbacks, Obey all traffic signal lights including red light.

The state government further reiterated that all forms of motorcycle either for commercial, private or companies use, are restricted from plying the, Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

And also the entire Lagos Central Business District Area (CBD), Ozumba Mbadiwe (from Bonny Camp – 1st Roundabout), Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Bourdillon Road, Gerrard Avenue, Alexander Road, Osborne Road, Alfred Rewane Road and CMS (outer Marina).

At the mainland, okada is restricted on the entire stretch of Funso Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed way from Jibowu – Yaba – Oyingbo –Iddo –Idumota.

From Jibowu to Ikorodu Town Roundabout, from Toll Gate through the entire stretch of Third Mainland Bridge, the entire stretch of Badagry Express Road, and the entire stretch of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway (excluding the    service lanes).

At the Ikaja area the ban affected the Entire Network of Roads around Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Awolowo way, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way – Maryland Junction, Lagos Abeokuta Expressway/Agege Motor Road, the entire stretch from Moshalasi –Oshodi – Abule Egba – Boundary of Ogun State and Lagos State and all Lagos Bridges.

In addition, some  roads have been added to the restricted areas including, Herbert Macaulay Way, Nurudeen Olowopopo Rd, Agidingbi  Road, Adeola Odeku, Ajose Adeogun, Akin Adesola, Adetokunbo Ademola,     Kofo Abayomi, Inner Marina, Allen Avenue, Opebi, Kudirat Abiola Way, Adekunle Fajuyi, Oduduwa Way, Oba Akinjobi, Isaac John, Joel Ogunnaike, Mobolaji Johnson Way, and Adeniran Ogunsanya.

“The Lagos State Government will not hesitate to deal decisively within the confines of the Law with any motorcycle operator that henceforth violates the law and order. The Law Enforcement Agents especially LASTMA, KAI and the Nigeria Police have been directed to ensure zero tolerance.

Government is seriously disturbed with the rate at which motorcycle operators flagrantly disobey the law and have no regard for the safety of other road users” warned the Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Kayode Opeifa.

He warned commercial bus operators plying intra State routes and whose vehicles are yet to be painted in the approved Lagos State colour of yellow with black stripes that they should desist from such illegal act. Also affected are those with inscriptions or signs on them. Any of such vehicles impounded or found to have inscriptions on them will not be released except it complies with the existing rules and regulations.

Opeifa  urged  motorists in the State to be cautious on the roads, drive safely avoid over speeding and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy especially as the Xmas and New Year are around the corner even as he  enjoined them to cooperate with the officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in order to keep Lagos traffic moving with pride, dignity and honour.