Federal Government has reacted to the latest restriction placed on motorcycles (okada) and tricycle riders in Lagos state.
Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation revealed the stance of the federal government on okada ban which has stirred controversy among road users.
During an interview with Sunrise Daily on Channels TV, Amaechi said the federal government has no rights to meddle in matters concerning the state’s mode of transportation.
He noted that “Implementation of transport policy was clearly a state matter” and the federal government had no say in such matters.
“So you can’t be telling a state whether they want ‘okada’ or tricycles or not. That’s not our responsibility. It is for the state government to decide what to do.”
“Speaking as a former Governor, when I was in Rivers State, they were using motorcycles to rob and kidnap people; and the police could never get them because they were using cars; so I banned motorcycles and we had peace. The number of accidents was also high – the orthopedic hospital was full every day.
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“I don’t know the reason why the Governor of Lagos state banned it; only he can tell you. I am sure he made his decision based on the interests of a majority of Lagosians.
“But he has a problem to face, which is unemployment and an increase in crime.”