Press Releases

Fashola Reaffirms Resolve To Protect Life, Property Of Citizens
…As enforcement of rules guiding Okada operation begins

Aug 24, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday presided over a Stakeholders Forum on Motorcycle Operations in the State, reaffirming the resolve of the State Government to discharge its primary responsibility to protect life and property while also securing the State.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the Blueroof Hall, LTV Ikeja venue of a gathering of all stakeholders in the motorcycle operation business declared that from Tuesday, it has become unlawful for anyone to operate a motorcycle (Okada) in Lagos State without a valid riders license.

He also said no person shall operate a motorcycle without proper registration just as no motorcycle should operate beyond 8.00pm in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Ikeja and 10pm in other areas of the State.

The Governor added that: "All Motorcycles must be road worthy and must have the two side mirrors fixed on them. No person shall operate a motorcycle without wearing a standard crash helmet with full head protection".

Governor Fashola emphasized that in the case of a passenger on a motorcycle (Okada), the owner or rider of such a motorcycle shall provide a standard crash helmet for the use of the passenger, just as no motorcycle operator shall carry more than one passenger at a time.

Other highlights of the new rules that came into effect are that no motorcycle operator should carry any load at any time, no underage person (under 18 years old) under any circumstance should ride a motorcycle (Okada) or be carried on a motorcycle (Okada) and no stereo or any other musical instruments should be fixed on it.

The law on Okada operation also states that: "Okada operators must not carry pregnant women, school age children, women with children on their back, all Okada operators must respect and obey all traffic laws and regulations which include:- not riding against traffic or direction prohibited by law, not riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks, obeying all traffic light signals including red light and especially where it concerns Motorcycle operations".

"In addition, motorcycle operators are prohibited from operating on the following routes: Lagos Island and Ikoyi-the entire Lagos CBD area, Ozumba Mbadiwe (from Bonny Camp- 1st Roundabout) Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Bourdillon Road, Gerrard Avenue, Alexander Road, Osborne Road and Alfred Rewane Road and CMS (Outer Marina)".

Other areas are Mainland-The entire stretch of Funsho Williams Avenue-Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Muritala Mohammed Way from Jibowu to Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo, Idumota, Ikorodu Express Road- from Jibowu to Ikorodu Town Roundabout.

The Third Mainland Bridge-from Toll gate through the entire stretch of Third Mainland Bridge, Badagry Express Road-the entire stretch of Badagry Express Road; Apapa Oshodi Expressway(excluding the service lanes),Ikeja-the entire network of roads around Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Awolowo Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Road-Maryland Junction.

The other areas listed under the Okada prohibition list are Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway/Agege Motor Road-the stretch from Moshalashi-Oshodi-Abule Egba-Boundary of Ogun and Lagos State and all Lagos Bridges.

Governor Fashola expressed delight that the Association of Okada Riders through recognized unions- Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (ANACOWA), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) are partnering with the State in the regulation of Okadas.

The Governor expressed the commitment to give the fullest publicity to the regulations and used the opportunity to appeal to all print and electronic media houses to donate spaces to carry the messages as a social service to the community in the interest of the general public.

Governor Fashola also informed that the Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Task Force, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and other relevant agencies are empowered to enforce the law and ensure compliance with the restrictions, but cautioned against brutalizing the citizenry in the quest to enforce the new laws.

The Governor affirmed that as the population of the State continues to grow, the demand for efficient mass transportation provided a challenge for those in government just as it provided a market for the services of commercial motorcyclists also known as Okadas.

The Lagos State helmsman said government in recognition of the fact that Okada is not a true ideal form of transportation developed the Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT) as one reliable alternative that has become very successful, even as Government pursues the implementation of Light Rail and ferry services.

According to Governor "We have provided these alternatives through the BRT that now ply our major highways and in the daily increasing number of taxis that we have supported to operate. The BRT routes are daily expanding as the Buses are increasing".

"Whilst these models of acceptable public mass transportation are increasing, we have tolerated the operation of Okadas within our territory as a demonstration of our sensitivity to the needs of people who demand the service and the survival needs of those who provide the services as a form of livelihood"

Governor Fashola said whereas other states have outrightly banned the operation of Okadas, Lagos State believes in interaction and this informs the holding of the stakeholders forum on the positive way forward for the operation of Okadas in Lagos.

"As a Government of methods and believers in critical planning as a tool for solving problems, we recognize that alternatives and choices of public transportation are the answers and not bans", the Governor reiterated.

He said beyond the issue of choices and alternatives is the more important issue of safety which has resulted in many children being orphaned and many women and men becoming widows and widowers as a result of accidents arising from the use of Okadas.

Governor Fashola explained that a number of able bodied people have become physically challenged due to loss of a limb, an eye or some other parts of the body to the extent that government is contemplating collaborating with a foreign company on the mass production of artificial arms and limbs.

He said the economic and social cost on the society is daily increasing and the State Government has reached a point where it must insist that the operation of Okada in the State must be in accordance with the laws of the State.

On pleas by the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW), Chief Rafiu Olohunwa that Government should release impounded motorcycles, Governor Fashola said he would work out modalities with the Ministries of Justice, Transportation and the Chairman of the State Task Force on how impounded motorcycles which are not subject of court prosecutions could be released.

He added that such release would only be effected if the owners show prove of paying their taxes.

Governor Fashola also promised to examine ways of finding a useful compromise to accommodate dispatch riders of courier companies who said a restriction on some of the routes will affect their operation which is primarily conducted with motorcycles.

The Governor also charged the management of the courier companies to consider the use of vehicles to move parcels in bulk across highways and then using other means of distributing them in smaller units such that the lives of the employees would not be put at great risk which riding motorcycles on major roads and bridges entails.

Earlier in his contribution, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) Chief Rafiu Olohunwa commended the State Governor for giving the Okada operators an opportunity to voice their opinion on the way forward.

He said all the Okada operators realize that life is precious and that the union would support all measures of the State Government in bringing sanity back to the operation of Okadas in the State.

He also charged his members to perform their civic duties by ensuring that they pay their taxes regularly as that represents the only way Government can provide the much needed social amenities.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Mr Tunde Fowler said a total 14, 600 Okada operators in the State registered with LIRS but regrettably only a total sum of N544,000.00 has been realized from the Okada operators in 2010

He urged them to pay their taxes regularly adding that it represents the only way they can support the work of their elected leaders.

In his message to the gathering, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos chapter, Monsignor Bernard Okoduwa who said the gathering is a first of its kind urged the Okada operators to go about their businesses by obeying the laws of the society they live in.

He says if they work well and legitimately, God will bless the fruits of their labour, reminding them that God is never with lawbreakers.

The Chairman of Ifako- Ijaiye Local Government, Mr Demola Doherty who spoke on behalf of all Local Government Chairmen in the State suggested the replicating of best practices applicable overseas in Nigeria such that the country can become a safer place for everyone.

The event which drew a very large representation of motorcycle operators (Okadas) and unions in the State was attended by members of the State Executive Council, Commissioner of Police, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, the Military Service Commanders in the State, a representative of the State Security Service (SSS) and traditional rulers.