Lagos bars pregnant women, others from boarding Okada
Hard times seem to await the operators of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada in Lagos metropolis, as the state government has concluded plans to enforce all traffic laws and regulations guiding their operation.
The state government said at no time should any motorcycle operator carry any visibly pregnant woman or school aged children or women with babies strapped at their backs.
To this end, the government said yesterday that with effect from Thursday, July 1, 2010, it would commence the full enforcement of all road traffic laws and regulations guiding Okada operation in the state.
According to Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, who stated this at Alausa, Ikeja, it was part of the government’s efforts to ensure security of lives and property and reduce the rate of accidents and loss of lives on the roads.
“Henceforth, commercial motorcycle operators also known as Okada will be restricted through traffic road signs on some Lagos roads and intersections,†he said.
The special adviser reiterated the regulation requiring that both the rider and passenger wear crash helmets, while all motorcycle operators must possess riders’ card.
Warns Okada riders
Opeifa warned that any Okada operator that carried more than one passenger at a time or a passenger with a load risked prosecution.
He said a series of meetings had been held with the leadership of the Okada Unions — Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State, MOALS, under the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and All Nigerian Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, ANACOWA under the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.
Other regulations
Other regulations, which must be obeyed by the riders, according to Opeifa included: nobody below 18 years should ride motorcycle; no horn except that of a motorcycle should be fixed on the motorbike; no car stereo should be used; and no motorcycle should ply a dual carriage way.
Opeifa implored motorcycle operators to obey traffic rules and regulations such as obeying the red traffic signal lights and zebra crossings, not riding against the flow of traffic, and not parking on the kerbs, medians or pedestrian walkways.
Restriction order
He implored them to comply with the time restriction order for their business operation.
According to him, all motorcycle operators within Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Ikeja should close by 8.00 p.m while others elsewhere should end their operations by 10.00.
By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo
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Anthony Chukudum
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Drama Unlimited,
Only in Naija
What is your case worth?
Okada Motorcycle Riders
Wanted Dead Or Alive ?
To be or not to be is the question?
Trouble Unlimited for all Okadans.
Your Honor, I represent Ministry of Transportation (MOT)
My clients are here for a just cause because they are enforcing all traffic laws regarding the operations of Okada.
Infact Banning OKADA completely is in the interest of the masses.
Your Honor, I represent the Masses, The Association of Okada Riders, THE LUOJIA Dayang riders
Your Honor, The rich does not ride LUOJIA, DAYANG , sUIZIKI or other Okada.
The masses ride LUOJIA not because the do not like cars, but because that is their lot in this “JUST society” of Inequality.
We LUOJIA and DAYANG riders believe that Laws are made for the benefit of all in a society.
The HONDA, LUOJIA and DAYANG RIDERS believe in the rule of law provided it is interpreted correctly.
Your honor, Who is LUOJIA DAYANG Okada… our intention is to stop the criminal activities, and maiming of our dear
citizens by Okada riders.
Your honor, statistics shows too many accidents from these Suzikians , Hondians, Luojians, Dayangans and others.
Your honor, LUOJIA and DAYANG are ther latest Okada in TOWN, and my statistics shows NO REPORTED ACCIDENT from LUOJIA DAYANG yet.
Besides, there are more car accidents Than Okada accidents.
According to lagos State Commissioner of Police, there are 1,763 motorcycle accident registered between
January and May 2010, as against 2,555 registered on vehicles within the state.
So why are wwe not banning car riders…
And besides, stopping LUOJIA DAYANGANS would increase crime rate because a lot of families derive their livelihood from Okada job.
Your honor our aim is to instil discipline and sanity in the metropolis in the interest of all, WHETHER YOU ARE A Luojian OR Dayangan.
Your honor, this is not a new law, it falls under the aegis of Motor Vehicle Administration Agency
(MVAA), Road Traffic Law and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Law.
We are only currently extracting and enforcing some relevant sections from the operating laws concerning road traffic laws,
of MVAA and LASTMA.Infact a committee of the House of Assembly visited strategic locations like the orthopaedics hospitals
and invited submission from stakeholders to see things for itself concerning the operation of Okada riders.
Your honor, I respect my learned gentleman but we know that the beds in Orthopedic hospitals are occupied by both car crashers,
Okada riders and others. As of today, no LUOJIANS or DAYANGANS are found there.
GO LUOJIA, Go DAYANG, let OKADA be.
This is the grteat controversy between the rich and what I call the LUOJIA DAYANGANS oR THE MASSES.
More drama awaits us as the LUOJIA DAYANGANS alias Okada riders takes on a herculean task.
Talk of an ant moving a mountain.
I no go happen but miracles never ceases.
I cross my heart and say devil pluck my heart if I lie.
LONG LIVE NIGERIA and the rule of Law.
GO DAYANG , GO LUOJIA, GO OKADA, go masses. Gani is behind you. Femi is in front. Fela is on one side, Sarowiwa is on the other.
I rest my case.
Anthony Chukwudum
17th July 2010