The Lagos State Government has warned miscreants and operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, against operating illegally within the Central Business Districts.
According to a statement issued by the state government, the warning was issued by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on CBD, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde.
This was in reaction to increasing reports of miscreants terrorising business owners, shoppers, and visitors as well as aiding Okada riders who operate illegally on restricted routes within the Ikeja and Lagos Island business districts.
The statement read in part, “He noted that as the yuletide season approaches, business districts usually witness a large influx of shoppers, which miscreants and hoodlums exploit to commit all sorts of misconduct.
“The Special Adviser gave assurance that the present administration would make life easy for residents, shoppers and traders within the Ikeja and Lagos Island business districts and, therefore, will not tolerate illegal activities by miscreants parading themselves as “omonile” in any part of the business districts in the state.
“He called on Youth Associations and Community Development Associations within the Ikeja and Lagos Island Business District to caution their relatives as anyone arrested will be prosecuted accordingly, just as he declared that nobody will be allowed to derail the set objectives of the CBD as enshrined in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the State government.
“While condemning the recalcitrant attitude of Okada operators who flout traffic laws guiding their operations, Oyerinde noted that the ban on Okada and tricycle operations on some roads within the Lagos Island CBD is still in force and CBD operatives will enforce it to the letter.
“He, therefore, warned commercial okada operators, bus drivers, dispatch riders and tricycle operators operating within the Lagos Island Business District to obey traffic rules and regulations in accordance with Section 3 of the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012.”
Oyerinde was quoted as saying, “It is very disheartening that despite the activities of CBD operatives to ensure smooth traffic situations within the Island Business District, the activities of Okada operators, commercial bus drivers, cab operators as well as private car owners, aided by miscreants and hoodlums to park indiscriminately within the business district, has worsened the situation.”
The Special Adviser also called on market leaders and owners of shops and plazas where wares are displayed on walkways and roads to remove them immediately or face the full wrath of the environmental and physical planning laws of the state.
