Okada Restriction In Lagos: Sanwo-olu is on the side of the law & has done well

One of the trending subject across Nigeria’s social media arena is the decision by Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, the executive Governor of Lagos state, to enforce restrictions of commercial motorcycle (popularly called Okada) and tricycle operators (popularly called Keke) on 6 local government areas and 9 local council development areas, namely; Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA , Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate, LCDA, Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo LCDAs, Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA. The ban also affects 10 highways and 40 bridges in Lagos state.

The action by Governor Sanwoolu has earned him criticism from a section of the state’s population, especially operators of these Okada and Keke operators, as they felt the decision would have adverse consequences on their means of livelihood. The Governor also came under bashing from a section of Lagos residents and some social commentators; who argue that the ban insensitive to the plight of both operators and passengers of Keke and Okada.

But does Sanwoolu deserve the knocks or commendation when there exist a consensus in Lagos that Okada and Keke operators have been constituting themselves into menace in the city? Even when everyone agree that they are very uncoordinated and contribute greatly to the insane traffic situation in the state? Even when everyone know that they pose security risk to the lives and properties of Lagos state residents?

The Side Of The Law

When Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola came into office as Governor of Lagos state in 2007, he constituted a security committee, the committee fingered Okada as a security risk. Another committee was also constituted in 2011 to look into the activities of Okada; and the committee recommended their restrictions and ban from highways and other major roads in the state. Fashola administration adopted and implemented the recommendation.

However, operators of the commercial motorcycle through their Unions, Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN), National Association of Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORA) and All Nigerian Auto bikes Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA), went to Federal High Court in Lagos to challenge the restrictions and ban slammed on their activities. On May 4, 2012, the presiding judge, Justice Stephen Adah, ruled that it amounts to impunity for the state Governor to issue fiat against operations of the commercial motorcycle operators and nullified the order of the Governor. However, the Judge held that the State Governor should approach the Lagos State House of Assembly to have them pass law in favor of the policy.

Immediately after the judgement, Governor Fashola approached the Lagos State House of Assembly to repeal and reenact Lagos State Traffic law. The fine tuned bill, which captured restriction of Okada from operating on a total of 496 roads, was passed by the House of Assembly and Governor Fashola assented to it on August 2, 2012; and therefore became a law!

Going by the aforesaid, every sane mind will agree that the decision by Governor Sanwoolu to ban/restrict operators of commercial motorcycle from operating in the captured highways, roads and bridges, is nothing but an enforcement a law that is subsisting. It becomes ridiculous for people to castigate Governor Sanwoolu for doing what is noble and lawful.

Although I sympathise with the affected operators over loss of their incumbent source of livelihood, I must also recognise that the action of the Lagos state Governor is both noble, welcoming and lawful. In fact, it is in the interest of everyone in the state.

Governor Sanwoolu has done well! By the way, Okada operations has been banned in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Imo state, yet heaven did not fall.

Tonye is a writer and political commentator. He can be reached at tonyebarcanista@gmail.com