The Lagos State Government at the stakeholders’ meeting on Security held at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja has restated its stand against insecurity in the state as it has developed new measures to regulate the activities of commercial motorcyclists who have been noted recently for acts of lawlessness and criminality in certain areas of the state.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was at the event yesterday, alongside top stakeholders in the sector listened to a group of panellists who highlighted the state’s security challenges. He noted that the meeting was necessitated by the growing threat posed by the lawless activities of motorcyclists to the safety and security of lives in the state. He said: “We have noted with dismay the fact that Okada riders are disregarding and flouting the restrictions we imposed on their activities in certain areas of the metropolis. We have also observed with dismay, the ongoing violent confrontation by commercial motorcyclists against our law enforcement agencies.
Aware of the string of lawlessness daily witnessed from the confrontation between commercial motorcyclists and law enforcement agencies, the Governor reiterated that urgent action is required. To this effect, he stressed that the government would be announcing reforms in transportation, which will further make changes to the parameters of motorcycle and tricycle operators.
Also present at the meeting were religious leaders, the Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, military chiefs, traditional leaders, community leaders, students, unionists and members of the State Executive Council. Sanwo-Olu whose plans include regulation of the activities of motorcyclists said the decision was in response to pleas by residents of the state that the government should take steps to curb the menace which has posed insecurity to the state leading to acts of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult clashes and violent assault.
The Governor assured that decisive action would be taken on commercial motorcycles after a majority of the attendees described it as a getaway means for criminals. However, he added that the motorcyclists and those who patronize them will not be left in the cold. Meanwhile, he stated that the first and last mile buses, which will ply the routes which the motorcycles are plying will be inaugurated next week. Therefore, he advised those who have taken up Okada riding for lack of jobs to grab the opportunities in agriculture, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and other government programmes.
SOURCE