Some Lagos residents on Tuesday urged security agencies to do more in checking the excesses of commercial motorcycle riders popularly called ‘Okada riders’ in the state.
They spoke with correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Mrs Rose Onatega, a businesswoman, said that though the riders had been restricted from operating on some roads, many still did so in such areas.
“Many crimes in Lagos are perpetrated with the use of Okada. They are used to rob; I was a victim along Ilasamaja area.
“They do not obey traffic laws; most of them drive against traffic and they ply restricted routes at any time of the day,” she said.
Onatega said that some of the riders cause havoc on the roads and the government should not hesitate to take stiffer measures against them.
A retired teacher, Mr Augustine Igwe, also told NAN that the recklessness of the operators contributed to the high rate of accidents and crime.
“Okada has done more harm to the safety of commuters than good and I think it should even be banned.
“But government must make alternative provision for them to earn a living,” Igwe said.
Mrs Ronke Adesina, a nurse, however, said that though the excesses of the riders should be curbed, a ban on their operations should not be considered.
“We don’t need them on highways or major roads, but we need them in streets to assist commuters,” she said.
Also speaking, another resident, Mrs Odunayo Daniel, advised the government to intensify enforcement of the restriction of commercial motorcycles from major roads.
She said that this was necessary in the interest of commuters and even motorists.
Daniel also urged the government to improve on public transportation and construction of inner roads.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command told NAN that no fewer than 334 motorcycles were impounded between January and April for plying restricted roads in the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Oladapo Badmos, said efforts were on to clear all restricted roads of commercial motorcycles.
“We impounded 334 motorcycles between Jan.1 and April 29.
“We have intensified effort to clear every prohibited road of motorcycles,” she said.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Information, Mr Steve Ayorinde, told NAN that the government was doing its best to ensure the riders comply with the law.
“Because of the way we kitted the Rapid Response Squad and the Police, we are matching them number for number,” Ayorinde said.
He said that the State Government was aware of calls by some residents to have it banned totally but had not taken any decision regarding that.
“But no matter how desirable the idea might be, it is important to consider the implications on the generality of people riding okada; what alternatives are there, but we know for a fact that the alternatives are there.
“So, we will look at all the arguments and we will do that which is needful,” Ayorinde said.
He said that there were 9,000 roads in the state but the commercial motorcycles were restricted from only about 500 roads – highways specifically. (NAN)