The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) has embarked on a public advocacy and sensitisation campaign to promote compliance with traffic regulations among commercial motorcycle operators in Ikorodu and its environs.
The exercise, according to a statement issued by the unit’s spokesperson, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, on Wednesday, targeted commercial motorcycle operators and members of road transport unions.
The campaign was aimed at addressing the resurgence of commercial motorcycle operations on highways, walkways and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, where such activities are prohibited.
Abdulraheem said the exercise was necessitated by growing concerns over increasing cases of lawlessness and disregard for traffic regulations among some commercial motorcycle operators.
He said the sensitisation was conducted by the unit’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, and focused on members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
“The engagement covered members of the unions operating around Ikorodu, Ogolonto and Majidun areas.
“The exercise was designed to educate the unions’ members on the need to comply strictly with the laws, rules and regulations governing commercial motorcycle operations in Lagos State.
“The engagement was in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, which stipulates routes and areas where commercial motorcycles are permitted to operate,” he said.
Abdulraheem said Akerele had reduced enforcement activities in the area due to the relatively high level of compliance among commercial motorcycle operators.
The spokesperson, however, said recent observations indicated a resurgence of Okada operations on highways, walkways and BRT corridors.
“The agency therefore deemed it necessary to engage the leadership of the transport unions and their members through dialogue, advocacy and sensitisation, with a view to preventing further violations and ensuring sustained compliance,” he said.
He said the engagement resulted in an agreement by the transport unions to work collaboratively with the task force to ensure that their members operated strictly within the confines of the law.
He added that the unions agreed to establish internal task forces comprising their members to monitor commercial motorcycle operations within Ikorodu, Ogolonto and Majidun and ensure compliance with operational guidelines.
Abdulraheem said the task force would continue to use advocacy and sensitisation to complement enforcement activities.
He, however, warned that any commercial motorcycle operator found plying highways, bridges, BRT corridors or other restricted routes would be arrested and the motorcycle impounded in accordance with the law.
