John Afful Jnr, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana
A ban on all commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as Okada in Nigeria has finally been issued by Lagos state government. The ban is especially on dual-carriage roads and highways in the state in line with the road traffic laws and regulations effective July 1 this year.
Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said the decision was to reduce the rate of accidents on the road and also to address chaotic traffic situations that now plague all parts of Lagos metropolis, according to allafrica.com.
He reiterated that motorcycle operators must not overload and should possess riders' card during operation. Adding that no motorcycle operator at any point in time carry any visibly pregnant woman or school aged children or women with babies strapped at their backs.
Opeifa gave other directives on the new regulations. "Other regulations that nobody below 18 years should ride motorcycle, no horn except that of motorcycle should be fixed on the motorcycle, no stereo should be on and that no motorcycle should ply a dual carriage way must now be duly observed. "
He has however advice both riders and passengers to wear crash helmets during duty and to obey traffic rules and regulations such as obeying the red traffic signal lights and zebra crossings. According to him, no commercial operator should ride against the flow of traffic, not park on the kerbs, medians or pedestrian walkways.
Reminding them also to ensure compliance with the time restriction, saying, all motorcycle operators within Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Ikeja should close by 8.00 p.m while others elsewhere should end their operations by 10.00 p.m.
Meanwhile series of meetings have been held with the leadership of the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS) under National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and All Nigerian Auto bike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA) under the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
The special adviser said that men of the state Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), men of Task Force, Nigeria Police and other Law Enforcement Agents "have been directed to ensure strict compliance."
He has cautioned commercial motorcycle operator not to violate any of the regulations else face the full wrath of the law, urging Lagos residents and dwellers to cooperate and bear with the state government and ensure compliance as the regulations and enforcement are done in the best interest of the public for safety and security purposes.
A ban on all commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as Okada in Nigeria has finally been issued by Lagos state government. The ban is especially on dual-carriage roads and highways in the state in line with the road traffic laws and regulations effective July 1 this year.
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