The Lagos State Government has announced a reduction in the accident rate involving commercial motorcycles, also known as Okada.
Citing data from The Lagos State Police Command, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, said in a statement that only one Okada related accident occurred between 1st and 20th February, compared to nineteen cases in January 2020.
Detailing how the only accident that occurred since the enforcement of the Okada restriction, the Commissioner said: “The February lone accident, which happened on 02/02/2020 at about 1200 hours, involved a Hovo Sino Trailer with registration number GWL-315-XA, driven by one Shaibu Abdullahi, allegedly knocked down a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number SMK-386-QA along Sagamu Road, by Cele Bus Stop, Ikorodu.”
Both the rider and the passenger sustained severe injuries and were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment where the rider eventually died.
Mr. Omotosho disclosed that fatal accidents involving commercial motorcycles had reduced since the restriction commenced. He said that in 2019, there were 168 commercial motorcycle accidents which involved 226 victims and resulted in the death of 201 persons.
Recall that the Lagos State government announced the restriction of the movement of commercial motorcycles on 476 routes which include major roads, highways and bridges across six local governments in the state. The government blamed commercial motorcycle riders for high rate of crimes and accident related injuries and deaths in the state. The state government said that commercial motorcycle transportation was never part of the megacity plan for Lagos.
The move by the government generated mixed reactions. While some welcomed the action, others criticised the government for not providing effective alternatives or solutions to the notorious traffic gridlock in the state. The ban also ended the operations of motorcycle hailing companies – some say it will negatively impact investors’ confidence and increase unemployment.
To alleviate the inconveniences the ban created, the state government launched 14 ferries and sixty-five buses.
The Commissioner assured Lagos residents that the palliative measures being rolled out by the government will provide enduring and permanent solutions to public transportation problems in the state.
“There will always be challenges but strategies are in place to confront and surmount every difficulty arising from the need to accommodate the people who arrive Lagos daily to seek greener pastures,” Mr. Omotosho said.
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