The Lagos State Government has crushed a total of 2,228 Motorcycles, popularly called Okada, impounded in areas where their operations have been proscribed. 

The State Government had this week commenced enforcement of the total ban on the activities of Okada in six Local government areas and Council Development areas.

Addressing newsmen at the Task Force ground in Alausa, Ikeja,  the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, accompanied by his Transportation counterpart, Frederick Oladeinde, and the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Shola Jejeloye, said over 5,000 okada seized  in the first quarter of this year, had been destroyed.

Mr Omotoso warned that the State government would no longer accommodate the use of Okada as a mode of transportation in the affected areas.

On arrangements made by government for those whose means of livelihood were affected by the enforcement, Mr Omotoso stressed that over 700 youths have been “grievously affected” by Okada-related accidents, and urged them and other youths to take advantage of the First and Last Mile Buses under the bus reform initiatives and opportunities available at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, in order to get empowered.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Mr  Jejeloye insisted that the Agency would not relax the enforcement of the ban.

On his part, the Commissioner for transportation, Mr Oladeinde reassured Lagosians of the State Government’s commitment to the bus reform initiatives, as well as the completion of the rail lines to make commuting easier for them.