Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cautioned commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, in the State to obey traffic laws.
The Governor, who spoke through the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, expressed the State Government’s displeasure at the flagrant violation of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL) 2018 restricting Okadas on some major roads and driving against the traffic in the State.
The Governor’s representative at a press conference attended by all the critical stakeholders including security agencies and commercial transport unions condemned attacks on law enforcement officers, declaring that the recent illegal activities of both commercial transporters and Okada riders on the roads would no longer be tolerated.
He ordered all concerns security agencies to immediately go after traffic violators in the State.
According to Oladeinde: ‘Our Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has since his assumption of office prioritise his administration’s development agenda encapsulated as THEMES, the T of which is Traffic Management and Transportation.
‘In the last one and a half year, Mr Governor has demonstrated his affirmed commitment to making our road smooth, reform complex junctions to promote better traffic flow, invested in water and land transportation through the provision of ferries and high capacity buses.
‘Mr Governor is continuing with the completion of the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line Rail project from Mile 2 to Marina and has given his commitment to bring the first phase of LRMT Red Line from Oyingbo to Agbado to passenger operation by 2022.
‘In spite of all the efforts of Mr Governor to reform our transport sector, it is therefore disheartening to note a lot of our people are still going against the extant law of the State on transport operation and safe driving on our roads and in our communities. The State Government prioritises the safety and security of the people.
‘As a government, we cannot continue to watch this lawlessness develop into an uncontrollable situation. For this reason, I have invited officials of the State Government and all the law enforcement apparatus to this press conference to signal to all violators that the game is over.’
The Commissioner was collaborated by Special Adviser to the Governor on transportation, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, stated that restriction of Okada on certain routes in the State is still in force.
