Opay, Gokada, Max NG and other riders have taken to the streets to protest the new directive of the Lagos State Government which placed a ban on the movement of motorcycles and tricycles in specific areas in Lagos. The riders mobilized themselves in massive numbers and marched to the Governor’s Office in Alausa.
They carried placards with inscriptions like;
“Our Live Matter Too,”
“Very Soon, Poverty Will Be a Crime in Lagos.”
“Na all of us get Lagos, no be only the rich,”
“Regulate us, not kill us.”
See Photos below:
The riders staged the peaceful protest ahead of the ban which is to commence on the 1st of February, and after the managements of Gokada and Max NG rider-hailing, services made an appeal to the state government to go back on its decision to place a ban.
According to them, their services and operations are in line with the 2012 traffic law and a societal impact in terms of job creations.
Lagos state government placed a ban on operations of all motorcycles known as Okada and tricycles a.k.a Keke Marwa from plying restricted areas in Lagos.
Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos state commissioner for Information and Strategy made the announcement at a press briefing on Monday, Jan 27, 2020. The enforcement of the ban will be effective Feb 1, 2020.
He said the government arrived at the decision after careful deliberation with stakeholders in the state. He also disclosed the ban will begin in six Local Government Areas before it extends to other LGAs.
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The Commissioner said,
“After consultations with stakeholders, the state security council in compliance with the transport sector reform law 2018, I have decided to commence the enforcement of the law which bans the operations of motorcycles and tricycles in the following local government and local council development areas
Apapa Local Government and Apapa Iganmu LCDAs
Lagos Mainland LG and nearby CDAs
Surulere Local Government and Itire Ikate and Coker Aguda
Ikeja Local Government
Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs
Etiosa LG
Ikoyi Obalende and Iru Victoria Island LCDAs
Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDAs.
The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020”