Isola Moses

Despite the recent hue and cry generated by the alleged decision of the Lagos State Government (LASG) to restrict the free movement of motorcycles and tricycles on designated roads across Lagos metropolis, the State Government says it has not taken a definite action on the operations of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles, popularly known as ‘Keke Marwa’ on some routes.

The government, therefore, has declared that no such action has been taken: that the list of routes being peddled around is unofficial and false.

“It should be disregarded,” it said.

According to the state government, a definite position on the issue will soon be made public through the official media channels of the government.

The Nation reports also that Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, recently told State House Correspondents, after the Security Council Meeting at the Lagos House, Alausa-Ikeja, January 13, that the delay was informed by a need for the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to achieve a generally accepted solution to what has been termed the ‘okada’ menace.

“We have just concluded our routine security meeting, during which the issue of Okada and tricycles was discussed exhaustively.

“For now, no major decision has been taken on the matter.

“There are several factors for this development, but the main reason was to reckon with various opinions expressed by stakeholders.

“So many people have made representations to the Government concerning commercial motorcycles and tricycles, including human rights groups, unionists and traders.

He said the stakeholders came up with many reasonable observations, and that “all their views have been collated and are being considered.”

“We feel it will not be good enough for the Government to take a final decision on the matter without considering the opinions of the stakeholders. That would be against the spirit of democracy for which the Sanwo-Olu administration stands.”

Omotoso stated that whatever decision is taken by the government, the security of the lives of all Lagosians will remain paramount to the Sanwo-Olu administration.

The government plans to step up the enforcement of the Lagos State Traffic Law as well as intensify its sensitisation of commercial motorcycles and tricycle riders on the need to obey the law, the Information and Strategy Commissioner said.