We won’t review traffic law in favour of ‘okada’, says Lagos government

The Lagos State government on Monday denied plans to review the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012, as it affects the operations of commercial motorcycles also called ‘okada’.

But it appears the government may have relaxed the enforcement of the law against ‘okada’ riders in the state, as they (‘okada’ operators) are resuming fully on major roads, highways, and bridges which the law disallows them.

A statement signed by Lateef Raji, the special adviser to the state governor on information and strategy, said. “This is far from the truth. This administration does not have the intention to reverse itself on this important issue now or in the immediate future. The reason is simple. By enacting the Law of 2012, we have made considerable gains in discharging the primary responsibility of government to our people in the area of protection of lives and property.

Ten members of the state House of Assembly, two weeks ago, moved a motion on the floor of the House, seeking a review of the traffic law as it affects ‘okada’ operations. The lawmakers complained of the harassment and extortion of ‘okada’ operators by security and law enforcement agents, lamenting that even on roads the law allows ‘okada’ operation, the police were harassing and extorting them (operators).

In addition to demanding that the commissioner of police in the state calls his men to order, the lawmakers made case for the review of the traffic law to expand the scope of ‘okada’ operation in Lagos. The law bars ‘okada’ from 475 roads in the state.

But Raji in the statement said, “We would like to further state for the records that the decision to regulate the use of commercial motorcycles on our highways was not a unilateral decision but a response to popular demands by members of the public who have been at the receiving end in their daily interactions with ‘okada’ operators.

Altogether, there are 9,100 roads in Lagos State. Motorcycles below 200cc are restricted on only 475 of these roads, which represent 5.6% of roads in Lagos. The result and impact of this decision have been tremendous.

Prior to the enactment of the law, “We were recording an average of 16 motorcycle-related deaths across the state every month and an average of 646 injured patients from motorcycle related serious accidents at state’s secondary and tertiary hospitals. As at March this year, our statistics show only 1 to 2 motorcycle-related deaths and less than 100 motorcycle accident related injuries in a month. No doubt, we have all the reasons to thump our chest that we have been responsive and responsible in the discharge of our duty to the people of Lagos.”