The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN, has backed the decision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ban the operation of Okada in major parts of Lagos.
He made his position known at a public lecture organised by the United Action for Change (UAC) in Lagos on Thursday.
The Herald recalls that Fashola also banned Okada during his tenure.
He cited insecurity and non-conformity to the state’s masterplan as reasons.
Fashola, who was governor of Lagos from 2007 to 2015, said that the movement of Okada could jeopardise security in the state.
He reiterated his position during the lecture.
“If you care about security, you should back your governor on okada ban. As a centre of excellence, okada cannot be part of the plan,” he said.
“I’ve always held this position. Motorcycle has always been a conduit pipe for the opioid crisis among youths. We must act to eliminate anonymity.
“I was robbed in my home, in fact on my bed in 1999. Organised crime is dynamic, criminals are aware that people don’t keep money at home again, now they diversified into kidnapping people for ransom.
“We must have data to identify people. You have SIM cards on your phone. It’s called subscriber identity module which can be tracked everywhere in the world. The attorney-general of each state and legislators should act.
“In those days, we used to have licence for bicycles,” Fashola said.
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