Lagos Presents Better Accident Statistics After Okada Ban

Lagos State Government Sunday said there has been a massive drop in the rate of fatal accidents involving commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘Okada’, since it banned their operations in six local governments and restricted them in other parts of the states.

Okada and commercial tricycles were banned in Apapa, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere local governments. They were restricted from plying some major roads/highways and bridges in other LGs.

The ban came into effect on February 1 and was trailed okada riders clashing twice with the police in the Lagos suburbs of Ijora and Iyana Ipaja. Eyewitnesses said four persons, including a schoolgirl, were killed in those clashes.

The state authorities said the ban was decided on after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council and that it was in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.

Lagos State commissioner for information Gbenga Omotoso insisted that the ban on the activities of the motorcycles and tricycles in those local governments is yielding positive result.

“The February lone accident, which happened on 02/02/2020 at about 1200 hours, involved a Hovo Sino Trailer with registration number GWL-315-XA, driven by one Shaibu Abdullahi, allegedly knocked down a Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number SMK-386-QA along Sagamu Road, by Cele Bus-Stop, Ikorodu”, Omotoso said.

“The rider, named Walbe Deshi and his passenger, also identified as Sadiq Seyok, sustained severe injuries and were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment where the rider later died”.

Omotoso pointed out that the current situation is a radical departure from the casualty rate between January and December 2019 when there were 168 commercial motorcycles accidents involving 226 victims, leaving 201 persons dead.

While reiterating the present administration’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of all Lagos residents, the Commissioner gave the assurance that the palliative measures being rolled out by the government will provide enduring and permanent solutions to public transportation problems in Lagos State.

He maintained that the present difficulty being experienced in the transport sector is one of the attributes of megacities that witness a huge influx of migrants, assuring that Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team have the experience and wherewithal to fashion-out permanent solutions to the lingering issues in the traffic and transportation sector.