The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo, has called for the banning of commercial motorcycles, otherwise known as okada, in some parts of the metropolis.
He said in Ikeja that commercial motorcyclists should be barred from operating in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Ikeja, as well as on the highways.
Speaking at a public hearing on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, Akpoyibo noted that accidents caused by the them accounted for 68.3 per cent in January.
The public hearing, which was organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly, was attended by stakeholders, including officials of the state transportation ministry.
Others were representatives of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Akpoyibo said the percentage of motorcycle accidents rose to 70.1 in May, adding that 70 per cent of road accidents recorded in the state this year were caused by the okada operators.
Also, 70 per cent of crimes being committed in the state are attributable to armed bandits, who use motorcycles,’’ said the police commissioner, who was represented by Vincent Brown, a senior officer.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Jonas Agwu, described the okada riders as law breakers whose activities should be restricted to feeder roads.
He also called for the banning of the okada riders from major roads and expressways in the state.
Commissioner for Transportation, Bamidele Badejo, said that the argument that okada was a good means of transportation was unacceptable.
He accused local governments of scuttling the government’s effort at regulating okada operations.
Kayode Opeifa, the Special Adviser on Transportation, said that motorcycles were not meant for commuting people, pointing out that making regulations on their activities would mean regulating illegality.
Speaking on behalf of okada riders, Anaja Michael, Assistant General Secretary of ACOMORAN, suggested that the existing two associations ACOMORAN and ANACOWA should be merged for effective regulation.
Other stakeholders urged the government not to ban the operation of okada, saying that it has helped to fill the vacuum created by inefficient transportation system in the state.
Lanre Osun, Ad-Hoc Chairman of the Committee on Transportation, promised that stakeholders’ contributions would be considered in making a law that would regulate the operations of commercial motorcyclists.
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