Barely two days after the Lagos State Task Force launched an intense clampdown on the operation of commercial motorcyclists on the Lekki axis of Lagos, the State government has completely banned commercial motorcyclists in 6 local government areas of the state.
Driving the news
The local government area in the state affected by the ban instilled by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu includes Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa.
- The directive is in accordance with a February 2020 restriction placed on commercial motorcyclists in the 6 local government areas of the state.
What they are saying
- Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu while speaking said that the ban which is to take effect from June 1st 2022 is the state government’s response to the menace commercial motorcyclists or Okada riders have caused in the six local government areas.
- The leaders of some Hausa communities in Lagos State have reacted to the news by urging the state government to reconsider the ban, as the tribe has a high number of okada riders in the state.
- The Seriki of Obalende, Saliu Waziri, suggested that the Lagos state government should “register Okada riders in each local government to know those working in each local government.”
- Other leaders insinuated that the governor should reconsider the decision if he wants their vote in the upcoming 2023 gubernatorial elections, as Hausa indigenes make over 2.7 million of the Lagos State population.