Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The Lagos State Taskforce has launched a comprehensive public advocacy and sensitisation campaign targeting commercial motorcycle operators and transport unions in Ikorodu and its environs, following growing concerns over the resurgence of okada operations on prohibited highways, walkways, and BRT corridors across the state.
The exercise, which was carried out under the leadership of the Chairman of the Agency, Chief Superintendent of Police Adetayo Akerele, focused on educating members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), particularly the Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS) branches operating within the Ikorodu, Ogolonto and Majidun areas.
Speaking during the engagement, Akerele noted that while commercial motorcycle operators had previously demonstrated a relatively high level of compliance, leading the agency to reduce enforcement activities in the affected areas, recent observations indicated a troubling resurgence of okada operations on restricted highways and other prohibited routes. The Taskforce Chairman emphasised that the engagement became necessary following complaints from members of the public and concerns raised by safety and security stakeholders over the increasing cases of lawlessness and disregard for traffic regulations by some commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders.
The sensitisation exercise was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, which regulates and restricts commercial motorcycle operations on designated roads and routes across the state. According to the agency, engaging the leadership of the transport unions and their members through dialogue, advocacy and sensitisation could bring about voluntary compliance and prevent further violations. In a statement, the agency's Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said the exercise was designed to ensure that operators understood the legal framework governing their operations and the consequences of violating the law.
At the end of the engagement, the transport unions reached a bilateral agreement with the agency to work collaboratively towards ensuring that commercial motorcycle operators comply strictly with the provisions of the law. Three key resolutions were reached, including a commitment by NURTW and RTEAN to support the agency in compelling their members to comply with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, particularly provisions concerning restricted routes. The unions also agreed to establish an internal monitoring team comprising their members to oversee okada operations in Ikorodu, Ogolonto, Majidun and adjoining areas to ensure adherence to the agreed guidelines. The Taskforce said advocacy and sensitisation would continue to complement enforcement, stressing that any commercial motorcycle operator found plying prohibited highways, bridges, BRT corridors or other restricted routes would be arrested and the motorcycle impounded in accordance with the law.
The agency noted the cooperation of the unions and other stakeholders and urged commercial motorcyclists to take advantage of the sensitisation exercise by complying with the regulations to avoid sanctions. Akerele commended the unions for their cooperation and urged commercial motorcycle operators to take advantage of the sensitisation exercise by complying with the regulations to avoid sanctions. The Taskforce reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a balanced approach of public advocacy, education and enforcement in its efforts to ensure safety, order and sanity on roads across Lagos State.
The engagement comes amid heightened public concern over the proliferation of okada operations on restricted routes, which has been linked to traffic congestion, accidents, and security challenges in some parts of the metropolis. The Lagos State Government has consistently maintained that commercial motorcycle operations are prohibited on highways, bridges, and BRT corridors, and has vowed to enforce the law to protect the safety of all road users. With the establishment of internal monitoring teams by the transport unions, the agency is hopeful that compliance levels will improve significantly, reducing the need for aggressive enforcement actions that often lead to confrontations between operators and law enforcement officials.
For the thousands of commercial motorcycle operators who depend on okada for their livelihoods, the message from the Taskforce is clear: operate within the law or face the consequences. The agency has made it clear that advocacy and sensitisation will be sustained, but enforcement will also continue to complement these efforts. As Lagos continues to grapple with the challenges of urban mobility, the balance between enforcement and advocacy remains delicate. But with the cooperation of transport unions, there is hope that the city's roads can become safer and more orderly for all.
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