The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat has alleged that some of the riders carry knives and guns, thereby posing threat to lives and properties in the state.
He said there was no time the government ever endorsed Okada ride-hailing operators in the state, adding that they can still do their businesses in the places unaffected by the ban.
Hamzat noted that since the enforcement of the ban in the last few weeks, the rate of Okada-related accidents recorded at General Hospitals in the state have reduced from 28 to 7 cases.
Hamzat, who spoke recently on Channels TV said the state’s skilled centres and technical schools are ready to absorb Okada riders who wish to be trained in different fields.
According to him;
The truth of the matter is that Okada is becoming an avenue to perpetrating crimes. And we cannot wait until a major disaster happens. We knew what happened in Kano State some years back when the Emir of Kano was attacked through this means of transportation. Our lives are important.
While emphasizing that ban is majorly about security and safety, the deputy governor asked;
Some of them had knives and guns. If you are interested in riding Okada, why do you need a knife of a gun? Not everyone of them but those who had the weapons on were arrested.
Citing culled data from the 27 General Hospitals in the state, he revealed that on the average monthly, Lagos State record 28 deaths related to Okada.
Referring to news circulating about Lagos state government endorsing bike-hailing service operators like Opay, Gokada and Max, Hamzat noted that;
We did not endorse Okada ride-hailing operators in Lagos. Anybody can come on a courtesy visit. They actually came on a courtesy visit and we told them clearly that there is a law regulating Okada operations in Lagos. But that is not an endorsement; it was just a courtesy visit.
Hamzat further reiterated that the most populous areas of the state not affected by the ban, adding that;
The most populous areas are Alimosho Local Government followed by Mushin, followed by Kosofe, followed by Oshodi/Isolo. So, people can do their businesses. All we are saying is, don’t ply the major roads, the bridges because it is not just safe and it is also a way for criminals to act.
