The law prohibits Okada and tricycles also known as Keke Marwa from operating in at least 495 of the 9200 roads and routes across the state.
Owoseni told reporters at the Olusosun Refuse Dumpsite in Ojota that the clampdown on Okada was a fall out of the government’s renewed resolve to address the security issues since criminals operate mostly with okada.
He said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had directed the police and other security agencies to ensure the law is complied with.
The Commissioner said: “It would not be one-off. So far, we have impounded about 500 motorcycles since we started our renewed efforts and we now have a total of about 4, 000 bikes ready to be crushed. The law made provisions on how those motorcycles should be handled and the law also made provision on how to handle those that have flouted the law itself.”
According to Owoseni, the decision to crush and recycle the motorcycles accords with the law.
The enforcement, he said, would also affect Okada patrons, adding that mobile courts would be instituted to try offenders.
“The operators of the commercial motorcycles and those patronising them, with time, you will get to see the Mobile Court going around to try some of those that have been arrested. What we are saying here is that we want people in Lagos to know that there is a law and the law is made for a purpose and if all of us obey the law and conform, the better for us.”
The government, Owoseni said, was considering banning okada in some areas, starting with the Lekki and Victoria Island axis.
He frowned at the way Okada and Keke Maruwa flout the law, especially by not obeying traffic light, which in most cases lead to avoidable accident and death.
Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Olanrewaju Elegushi said commercial motorcycles have been warned to clear off restricted routes.
“We have an enforcement unit led by the Commissioner of Police, the Task Force on Environmental and Other Special Offences, the Divisional Police Officers and the Area Commanders. They have started enforcement and we came to see how far they have gone,” Elegushi said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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What kind of stupid law is that? Did people not buy the motorcycles with money? They should find some other means of punishing the offenders.
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