The Lekki Phase One Residents Association (LERA) has urged the Lagos State Government don’t wait until June 1 to enforce the ban on commercial motorcyclists, known as ‘Okada bikers’ in some parts of the state.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that the state government on Wednesday banned commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘Okada bikers’, from operating in six local government areas of the state.
The affected municipalities are Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.
LERA made the call at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, after some residents took to the streets of Lekki Phase 1 to voice their grievances over the threat from Okada cyclists.
Residents displayed banners with inscriptions such as ‘Lekki Phase 1 says no to Okada’; Let’s resume Lekki Phase 1′.
Residents of Lekki Phase One call for a ban on ‘Okada Riders’ in the area on Thursday in Lagos
They were reacting to a recent incident that occurred in the Admiralty area of Lekki, where commercial motorcyclists lynched a sound engineer, David Imoh, on May 12.
LERA President Yomi Idowu, at the press conference, said there was a need for an immediate implementation of the ban.
“We sincerely appreciate and thank the Lagos state government for being proactive and taking a stand on a total ban on ‘okadas’.
“The government has asked for the ban from June 1, but we, the residents of Lekki Phase 1, cannot risk the lives of all its residents and have okadas running freely in our neighborhood.
“If you recall, the state government had called for a ban on commercial motorcyclists two years ago, but to our chagrin this was not properly enforced and the threat soon returned.
“Therefore, we are taking proactive steps and calling for this ban to begin effective immediately; we choose to live and say no to the okadas on our roads and streets,” he said.
The president said that the association would take all necessary measures to ensure that all residents fully respect and strictly comply with the government law that prohibits Okadas on the roads.
He highlighted the importance of street gates, appealing to the Ministry of Transportation to work with the association to maintain, erect and support them, for the safety of the residents.
“We also call on the Ministry of Physical Planning and the New Town Development Authority to carry out raids on incomplete buildings to drive out thugs and scoundrels who use these places as hideouts,” Idowu said.
The president said that security was very important in society.
“Our lives matter and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure the lives and property of our residents are protected,” he said.
(YAYA)