Based on the commercial motorcycles alias ‘okada’ ban operation in Lagos state ,it has been expanded to four more local councils and six local council development areas by the Lagos State Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu . It was confirmed by the Commissioner for transport in Lagos,Dr. Frederic Oladeinde on Thursday.
The commissioner said the extension was after a review of the earlier ban on commercial motorcycles operation in six local councils.According to him,the governor took this as a decision for the interest of the residents and security reasons. “For the purpose of emphasis, the state government is now banning Okada operations in a bid to further promote the safety and security of lives and properties in the state”
The additional councils where the maximization of the total Okada ban include Kosofe Local Government; Ikosi-Isherri LCDA and Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government; Isolo LCDA, Shomolu Local Government; Bariga LCDA and Mushin Local Government; Odi-Olowo LCDA. 
In a statement ,the decision was also for the high rate of accident occuring as well as the crime rate in the society for the sanity of the communities.“This decision is to further consolidate on the achievements made so far with particular reference to decline in Accident and Crime rate as well as to continue to bring sanity to our communities within the state.“While the ban is in force, the public are advised to resort to alternative and sustainable means of transportation provided in the State such as the First and Last Mile Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (Lagride) and other acceptable modes of transportation to go about their daily activities.“Furthermore, the state government’s existing interventions aimed at empowering her citizens should equally be accessed as an alternative means of livelihood for the affected riders.” it read.
These interventions are coordinated by the following MDAs: Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA);(vocational training)Ministry of Wealth Creations and Employment;(internship programmes)Office of Civic Engagement; Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) (Loan for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs, Lagos Economic Acceleration Programme “LEAP”); Ministry of Agriculture (Agric YES); Ministry of Education (CodeLagos Scheme) and many others.”
The State Governor has also directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos Command with all relevant stakeholders including the Army, Navy, Air force, and other Security and Law enforcement formations within the State to be complimented by the “Anti-Okada Squad” that will be deployed to these new locations in a bid to stimulate seamless implementation and enforcement of the phase two ban in the state.“It is important to inform Lagosians that our help lines are still very active as your feedbacks will further enhance our strategies; as the protection of lives and properties is a collective responsibility of all. For complaint and feedback kindly call any of the following lines:09038208154, 09169655855, 09034810153 and 0903309082615,” Oladeinde said.
