The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, has given commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada riders, three days to register with any of the two relevant transport associations in the state or risk arrest.
Edgal gave the directive on Saturday, during an emergency meeting with the leadership of the commercial motorcycle operators.
According to the police chief, the two recognised associations are National Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NNAMORAL) and Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS).
Edgal warned that if the okada riders are not registered with either of the unions by Tuesday, they would be arrested for illegal operation.
“If you want to be a commercial motorcycle operator in Lagos State, you must belong to either NNAMORAL or MOALS.
“All commercial motorcycle operators are given three days to get registered; anyone found wanting will be arrested.
“The operators must wear their reflective vests designed by the unions with their names and numbers.
“Members of the public are advised not to patronise any Okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) without the vest as his or her safety cannot be guaranteed,” he said.
Edgal also reiterated that there are roads the okada riders must not play and they must carry one person at a time.
“There are roads and Okada riders must not ply. They must carry one person at a time.
“The vests are numbered. There are emergency numbers to call in case a passenger has a problem with any commercial motorcycle operator.
“We all want Lagos to be a mega city but this cannot be achieved when we have commercial motorcycle operators without helmets, taking one way and BRT lanes.
“In enforcing traffic laws, community policing is the way out as I don’t intend to enforce these laws without you.”
Comentarios