Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, gave the directive throughout a gathering with the state’s safety brokers.

 

 

Native authorities areas affected by the ban embrace Ikeja, Surulere, Eti Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.

Nonetheless, SaharaReporters noticed that the Lagos State Authorities had a number of instances introduced a ban on this implies of transportation with out success.

The federal government on these events attributed the ban on Okada to the rising charge of criminality which is perpetrated by means of using bikes. Nonetheless, this had been met with stiff resistance by motorcyclists who complain that their supply of livelihood can be adversely affected.

Additionally, the motorcyclists’ disobedience is inspired by some part of the inhabitants who lament the stress they endure on account of such bans amid the insufficient technique of public transportation in Lagos.

In the meantime, it may be mentioned that the state authorities had failed within the implementation of the Okada ban regardless of a regulation that stops the actions of the operators on some highways.

The Lagos State Site visitors Regulation 2012 prohibits the operations of Okada and tricycles, also called Keke Marwa, from working in sure routes and areas throughout the state.

In the meantime, this regulation solely restricted bikes or tricycles with engine capacities beneath 200cc from working on main expressways and highways. It additionally stipulated that bikes used for mail distribution or courier companies ought to have a minimal engine capability of 200cc.

Additionally, in 2018, the state established the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Regulation 2018 (the “Regulation”) which got here into impact on the twenty sixth of February 2018.

Part 46 (1) of the Regulation stipulates that ‘no individual shall trip, drive or propel a motorbike or tricycle on a significant freeway throughout the state, and any individual in contravention of this provision commits an offence liable on conviction to imprisonment for a time period of three (3) years with such bike or tricycle forfeited to the State’.

Nonetheless, the regulation had been largely flouted. Under are the variety of instances the state authorities pronounced a ban on Okada within the state.

2006

In 2006, the Bola Tinubu authorities introduced a restriction on the working hours of Okada riders because it banned them from working between 7 pm and 6 am each day.

2012

The Lagos State Authorities in 2012 beneath the Babatunde Fashola Administration positioned a complete ban on the operations of economic bikes within the Ikeja axis of the state.

The ban was adopted by a directive to the police to arrest any rider discovered working on main roads in Ikeja.

On the time, the state authorities mentioned no Okada rider should be present in areas reminiscent of Oba Akran Avenue, Financial institution Anthony Means, Isaac John Road, Opebi Hyperlink Bridge, Adekunle Fajuyi Means, Acme Highway, Alausa, Oregun, Simbiat Abiola Means and Kodeso Highway.

2017
Additionally in 2017 beneath Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, the Lagos State Authorities once more introduced a ban on Okada actions on main highways, bridges and roads.
It listed a whole lot of routes the place bikes and tricycles ​(aka Okada and Keke) ​had been banned​.
The record included main highways, bridges​, and so forth. in Lagos.

2020

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in January 2020 proscribed operations of motorcyclists and Keke riders in six native authorities areas, 9 native council improvement areas and 10 main highways throughout the state with impact from February 1, 2020.

The federal government additionally banned Okada and tricycles from plying 40 bridges and flyovers throughout the state.

On the time, bike-hailing companies reminiscent of Max, Gokada and Opay have been in operation throughout main highways within the state. These have been additionally later banned as they have been affected by the Okada ban. Nonetheless, dispatch riders, meals supply riders and different logistics gamers like GIG logistics, Domino’s Pizza, and Max Supply, have been allowed to stay in operation.

SaharaReporters noticed that every time these bans have been introduced, the Lagos State Activity Pressure set into motion, impounding a number of motorbikes and tricycles.

Nonetheless, the enforcement was normally short-lived as many bikes and tricycles returned to the beforehand restricted areas, significantly the highways because the calls for for them elevated.