Lagos State Government on Thursday read the riot act to motorcycle and tricycle operators, noting that the restriction on them from plying 10 major highways, 40 bridges and roads within six local governments and nine local council development areas in the State is still in force.
The government also expressed displeasure at the disobedience to the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL) 2018 which restricts the operations of commercial motorcycles riders known as Okada and driving against traffic known as one-way driving.
Speaking during a press conference held at Alausa in Ikeja on traffic rules violation, Commissioner for Transportation Frederic Oladeinde traffic offenders especially commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists will not go unpunished.
The government’s position followed the recent clash between Okada riders and operatives of the Lagos State Task Force in some parts of the state.
The commissioner said all commercial transport operators must carry out their daily activities within the approved routes in Lagos State, adding that any motorist caught driving against traffic will face the maximum penalty and will equally be charged to the court of law under the transport sector reform law of Lagos 2018.
“I say the game is over because in the last few months, we have witnessed a lot of security and safety challenges apparently as a result of the activities of unscrupulous ‘Okada riders.’ These operators do not only violate the provisions of the Transport Sector Reform Law of Lagos State, 2018 with respect to restriction of areas of operations, but perpetrate crime using their motorcycles,” he said.
Deputy Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Sulyman Ojora assured the government of the support and cooperation of the union in ensuring that traffic offenders are brought to book.
