If commercial motorcycle riders in Lagos State popularly known as Okada, had thought that the state Government would reverse the restriction of bikes on its road, they goofed, as Task force officials on environmental and special offences have commenced the process of crushing 3, 000 motorcycles impounded from their owners for violating traffic law.
Speaking from their Alausa, office, the Task force Chairman, Bayo Suleiman who doubles as an Assistant Superitendent of Police, told news man that after the end of the dismantling exercise, the iron parts would be taken to the state Crushing Plant in Oshodi, where they would be crushed and recycled.
He maintained that their action was to serve as a warning to other commercial motorcycle riders and to pass the message that the government had stepped up its enforcement of the state traffic laws.
In his words, “These are okadas impounded since the new traffic law was signed into law. There are 3, 000 of them. Okada riders must obey our traffic law. They are fond of driving against traffic, on kerbs and several unauthorized places. The law has been passed and gazetted and there is no going back on its enforcement.
We are dismantling the okadas now to separate the parts that are crushable from the ones that are not crushable. After this, we will take the crushable parts to Oshodi crushing plant, where they will be crushed and recycled. The uncrushable parts will probably be auctioned, but not in the state.
The Task force has not started enforcing the law fully. But this should serve as a warning to them because we won’t hesitate to impound any okada caught on the restricted roads in the state.”
However, the Police officer said the owners of the bikes abandoned them and took to their heels on sighting a Task force officials and never surfaced to be prosecuted for traffic offences.
Also commenting on the peaceful protest staged by Okada riders on Monday, Suleiman said, “They have the right to protest, but the government will be firm in what it does. It does not in any way stop our job, those who intend not to obey the law, we are coming after them. The protest is a group action, but our arrests will be one after the other and we will be out there on a daily basis.”
He clearly stated that the laws have been signed and sealed, thus, those who are caught doing the contrary would face the consequences of their disobedience.
While giving nods to the rate at which some riders are respectful obeying the new traffic laws, Suleiman also sounded a note of warning to other Okada riders who may not want to adhere to the state government’s order to avoid been caught and punished by the task force.
He clearly stated that the laws have been signed and sealed, thus, those who are caught doing the contrary would face the consequences of their disobedience.
While giving nods to the rate at which some riders are respectful obeying the new traffic laws, Suleiman also sounded a note of warning to other Okada riders who may not want to adhere to the state government’s order to avoid been caught and punished by the task force.
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