Okada riders protest restriction on 496 roads

Operator of commercial motorcycle, popularly called okada riders, on Monday protested against   their restriction  on 496 roads and bridges as listed in the Schedule II of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law.

The riders and members of the civil society groups marched to the state House of Assembly and the Governor’s Office, just as the  Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, said the state was ready to commence the full implementation of the law as regards okada operation.

The okada riders, under the aegis of United Okada Riders Stakeholders’ Forum, were joined by civil societies comprising the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, the Path of Peace Initiative and the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders.

They went through the streets of Ikeja to Alausa, demanding a review of the list in Schedule II of the law.

“Give us back our 496 roads”, they shouted intermittently.

General Secretary of FIWON, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, said apart from okada riders, many commuters would be adversely affected by the law.

 He said, “It is not just about okada riders, it is also about commuters in the state. There are some commuters who have been deprived of their only means of transportation by banning okada in their area.

“Out of the 34 provisions in the law we are calling on the government to remove just one that has to do with the roads on Schedule II of the law.”

National President of PPI, Dandi Eze, said restricting operations of okada riders on the roads was tantamount to an outright banning of okada in the state.

Executive Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, said the law was killing the jobs which the operators created for themselves without help from the government.

Deputy Speaker, Musibau Kolawole, received a protest letter on behalf of the state government.

He said, “We will raise the issues in your letter at the floor of the House today (Monday).”

Meanwhile, Opeifa, spoke at the press conference to mark the Safety Campaign Week of the Vehicle Inspection Service and to inaugurate a home video, AYE OLOKADA,  to enlighten the public on the menace of the motorcycle riders.

He said, “We have started the enforcement of the traffic law; but it is on a gradual scale. Now, we are set to start full enforcement of the law, starting  with okada riders.”

Opeifa, who insisted that the measure would boost safety in the state, said security agencies would enforce the traffic law.

He said, “The agencies are the Lagos State Transport Management Authority; the Vehicle Inspection Service; the Police; the Federal Road Safety Corps; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and other agencies backed by law.

“We learnt that some people claiming to be local government officials have been harassing the people. Anyway, everyday is for the thief, one day for the owner.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, described the development as another bold step in ensuring discipline on the roads.

 and making sure that travelling was no longer a harrowing experience.

Source: Punch