- Police impound 188 bikes, 78 tricycles
The Lagos State government has disclosed that it plans to roll out alternatives, to provide commuters with options, after the ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in six local government areas and nine local council development areas. The ban took effect from Saturday, February 1.
In a statement posted on its official Twitter page on Sunday, the government rated the level of compliance at over 90%.
“The government of Lagos State praises motorcycle and tricycle operators for complying with the restriction from six LGAs, major highways and bridges. The enforcement of the State Security Council’s order began on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
“The level of compliance was over 90%. In fact, some of the ride hailing companies directed their riders to obey the directive. This is commendable.
“The high level of compliance has shown that Lagosians agree with the government on the need to stop the danger that commercial motorcycles and tricycles have become – a big threat to safety of lives and security of our people,” it read.
The statement also assured that “the little discomfort experienced by commuters on some routes due to the absence of motorcycles and tricycles is noted. This will not last as alternatives are being rolled out.
“A fleet of 65 buses will join the others on some major routes as from Monday, February 3, 2020: No less than 550 more buses are being expected. Besides, 14 ferries will be commissioned on Tuesday.
“This will further open up the waterways, reduce travel time on various routes and provide safe, dependable and comfortable alternatives for commuters.
“The government is not unaware that enforcing this directive may lead to some job losses. The Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, plans to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order.
“Besides the programmes of various agencies, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Civic Engagement, Lagos State Parks and Gardens and others.
The Lagos government also warned against any disruption of legal activities by certain elements and warned that the law enforcement agents have been directed to deal with such.
“Lagosians are peace loving and law abiding people, who will not embrace any disruption of their legal activities by failed politicians hiding under the evil of unwholesome activism.
“The law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that nobody takes the law into his hands. The government places a very high premium on law and order in the interest of all Lagosians. It will not fail to act when peace is threatened,” it added.
Meanwhile, the State police command has arrested 40 violators, impounded 188 motorcycles, and 78 tricycles plying in the affected areas..
The Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu had deployed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, State Traffic Officers, Area Traffic Officers, Divisional Traffic Officers, Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences and other Police Officers across the State Command to fully enforce the provisions of the Road Traffic Laws, especially the ban on the use of motorcycles (popularly known as Okada) and tricycles (also known as Keke) in some Local Government Areas and routes across the State.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) who went round the restriction zones to monitor the new development expressed his satisfaction with the level of compliance, and thanked the Lagos residents for their cooperation.
The CP personally arrested some motorcycle and tricycle operators seen contravening the traffic laws.
Others arrested by the CP are VIP escort vehicles without registration numbers, vehicles with defaced and covered plate numbers and vehicles driving against traffic. Twenty-two vehicles were impounded.
Odumosu reiterated the fact that no one is above the law. He called on Lagosians irrespective of their social status to support the Police in its quest to provide a safe and secured state for everyone to live in and to carry out their lawful businesses.
The enforcement is a continuous exercise 24/7 and violators will be dealt with in line with extant laws on Traffic.
- Media Report