By Efe Onodjae

The publisher of Urban Express News Online, Olusegun Ariyo, emphasized the need for increased advocacy regarding the understanding of locations and routes restricted by the Lagos State government for Okada riders.

According to him, this development would help both riders and law enforcement agencies gain a better understanding of all restricted areas, thus preventing exploitation. He noted that some officers are unaware of the restrictions, while the riders often lack information about the designated locations and routes.

Ariyo made this statement at the Africa Leadership Award Summit, where he received the Africa Selfless Service Award at the Premier Hotel in Ibadan.

He highlighted that many conflicts between riders and law enforcement in the state stem from this lack of information. The government must take a more proactive role in educating riders about restricted areas to avoid disputes arising from misunderstandings between the two parties.

“Our findings indicate that many of the northern riders were invited to come from their villages to take up Okada riding in Lagos, as retirees in areas like Ipaja enter into purchase agreements with them. Once one becomes successful, they invite others from the northern states, forming a network. However, the lack of advocacy has severely disadvantaged them,” he explained.

Ariyo called on the Lagos State government to foster greater understanding, asserting that improved advocacy would help prevent the poverty affecting many riders who have fallen victim to arbitrary arrests and the subsequent seizure of their motorcycles due to misinformation.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government launched a campaign on January 23 of this year targeting motorcycles, popularly known as Okadas, operating in restricted routes within the state.

This initiative, according to a statement released to journalists, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and mitigate traffic congestion.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stated that “the campaign aims to unequivocally halt motorcycle operations in specified restricted zones, ensuring public safety and optimizing the city’s transportation network.” He reiterated that the ban on commercial motorcycles remains in force in ten local government areas and 15 local council development areas within the metropolis.

Osiyemi urged residents and commuters to avoid using motorcycles on restricted routes and reiterated the penalties for violations, which include three years in prison for both riders and passengers, along with the impounding and public crushing of their motorcycles, in accordance with Section 46, subsections 1, 2, and 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018. He stressed the importance of voluntary compliance, urging the public to cooperate with government policies for their safety and well-being.