The Lagos State Government announced on Wednesday that violators of the Phase 2 ban on commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) risked a three-year prison sentence.

At a news conference in Ikeja, the commissioner for transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, stated as much and added that the Phase 2 okada ban affected four local government areas and six local government development councils.

The state government, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, issued a blanket ban in additional four LGAs and six LCDAs in August, mostly in Kosofe (Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu LCDAs), Mushin (Odi-Olowo LCDA), Oshodi (Oshodi-Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs), and Shomolu (Bariga LCDA).

”We implore the general public to comply, as both the rider and passenger are both liable to three years in prison if prosecuted.

”Their motorcycles will be impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.

”We implore the general public to join hands together with the state government by complying with the decision geared towards combating the monster that okada operation has created, so that sanity can return to our state,” Oladeinde said.

In order to implement the prohibition in the councils, he said that 200 representatives of the Lagos Traffic Management Authority had been sent in to work with other security agencies.

He believes that expanding the ban to four more LGAs and LCDAs will help to safeguard the safety of people and property.

”As a responsive government, we are not leaving the affected passengers stranded without any viable means of transportation, that is why we have made available alternative and sustainable means of transportation.

”The alternative transportation include the First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other acceptable modes of transportation, to go about their daily activities.

”The decision and position of government on okada is very clear, and we are not compromising on this decision, which is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to the decrease in accidents and crime,” the commissioner said.

Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, reaffirmed that the government was not abandoning the okada riders.

In order to obtain the first and last mile buses, Omotoso suggested that the riders approach the government as a cooperative.

NAN