No going back on okada restriction ─ Lagos
CuteNaija
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Monday, August 25, 2014
The Lagos State Government has said it has no intention of reversing the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from plying major highways and bridges in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, on Sunday said the government was convinced that the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, especially the aspect concerning the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from plying major highways and bridges, was made in public interest.
He said, “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 life and property.
“Also, 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 the okada operators.”
The Special Adviser explained that there were 9,100 roads in Lagos State, adding that motorcycles below 200cc were restricted on only 475 of the roads.
He added, “This represents 5.6 per cent 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 accidents at the state secondary and tertiary hospitals.
“As of March this year, our statistics show only one to two motorcycle-related deaths and less than 100 motorcycle accident related injuries in a month.”
The Special Adviser said information going round that the government wanted to reverse the restriction was false, adding that the Fashola-led administration was the only government that had given recognition to the use of motorcycle as a means of commercial transportation through the instrument of the law and regulations, meant to protect the riders and the citizens.
Raji said those sponsoring the information were plotting to snatch ballot boxes with the use of okadas during the 2015 general elections, adding that the plan would not be allowed to stand in Lagos.
“We encourage our okada riders to go about their lawful duty by obeying all the provisions of the traffic law,” he added. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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