Lagos Bans Okada, Tricycles In 15 Local Councils

…Restricts Their Operations On 50 Highways, Bridges

Lagos State Government on Monday wielded the big stick against the menace of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP), proscribing their operations in six Local Government Areas (LGAs), nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and 10 major highways across the State with effect from February 1.

The State Government directed security operatives to embark on a total enforcement of the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and disorderliness created by illegal operations of Okada and tricycle riders in restricted areas.

Besides, the Government also banned Okada and tricycles from plying 40 bridges and flyovers across the State.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who made the announcement at the State House in Alausa, said the measures were taken by the Government in response to “scary figures” of fatal accidents recorded from operations of Okada and tricycles in the State between 2016 and 2019.

Omotoso said the lack of regard for the Lagos Traffic Laws by the Okada and tricycle riders had resulted in preventable loss of lives, adding that their impermissible movements on restricted highways had also contributed to traffic jams.

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He said: “After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) menace, the Lagos State Government and the State Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount.

“The figures are scary. From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.

“Also, the rate of crimes aided by Okada and Keke keeps rising. They are also used as getaway means by criminals. Therefore, after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Okada and Keke in six Local Government Areas and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).”

Omotoso said the enforcement would be total, warning that the Government would deal with violators in accordance with the Laws. He added that there would be zero tolerance for the movement of the banned vehicles on the listed highways and bridges.

According to the Commissioner, operations of Okada and Keke NAPEP have been banned in the following LGAs and LCDAs: Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA.

Others are Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo, LCDA, Ojodu LCDA, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, and Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

The Okada and Keke NAPEP are restricted on the following highways and bridges:

Major Highways

1. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
2. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
3. Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway
4. Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway
5. Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway
6. Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway
7. Lagos-Badagry Expressway
8. Funsho Williams Avenue
9. Agege Motor Road
10. Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road Bridges
11. Iyana- Ipaja Bridge Agege
12. Dopemu Bridge Agege
13. Airport/Ikeja Bridge
14. Agege Motor road/oshodi Loop, Oshodi
15. Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge
16. Dorman Long Bridge
17. Ojuelegba Bridge
18. National Stadium Flyover
19. Apapa-Iganmu Bridge
20. Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge
21. Liverpool Bridge, Apapa
22. Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin
23. Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge
24. Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network
25. Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge
26. Trade Fair Flyover Bridge
27. Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge
28. 2 Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road
29. Ojota Clover leaf Bridge
30. Ogudu Bridge
31. 3rd Mainland Bridge
32. Maryland flyover
33. Ikeja General Hospital Flyover Bridge
34. Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja
35. Opebi Link Bridge
36. Sheraton-Opebi Bridge
37. Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge
38. Carter Bridge, Lagos
39. Bariga-Ifako Bridge
40. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge
41. Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge
42. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn
43. Apapa-Oshodi Expressway
44. 3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge
45. Eko Bridge
46. Apongbon flyover Bridge
47. Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess)
48. Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp)
49. Marina/Ikoyi Bridge
50. Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge