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Jakande Estate youths back Sanwo-Olu on okada ban, want mini-buses
By Rasaq Adebayo
Residents of the Low-Cost Housing Estate (Jakande Estate), Ejigbo have thrown their weight behind the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban the operation of commercial motorcycles known as Okada in some parts of the state.
They are also appealing to the government to extend mini-buses to the estate.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has decided as a measure to curb some lawless activities and crimes perpetrated by criminally-minded okada riders which are inimical to the security of lives and properties in the state.
The residents said there is a need for the government to extend the ban to the estate based on the high rate of crimes being committed by some okada riders in the community.
They also urged the government to plant some enforcement agents in the estate to make sure the motorcyclists comply with the order.
The President of the Estate Youth Parliament, Yusuf Adeyemi, who spoke on behalf of the community, appreciated Sanwo-Olu for taking such a decision on commercial motorcyclists, saying the safety of the masses is an important factor in the administration of any government.
He noted that people did not normally comply with such an order, emphasising the need for the deployment of enforcement agents to the estate to make sure no okada operates in the community.
He also appealed to the state government to allocate some of the newly commissioned minibuses to Jakande and Ejigbo, saying the residents are yearning to benefit from the scheme.
Adeyemi advised motorcyclists who have taken up Okada riding as job to harness opportunities in agriculture, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and other government programmes as prescribed by the Governor.
“We want this particular ban to be effective here as we have reported several issues to the state government on insecurity, accidents and more. We hope to see our entrance free for all to move seamlessly as bike riders block us every day and we hope this new law will bring soothing relief to us.
“We hereby call for enforcement in and out of the Estate to ensure that we are also captured in this ban on bikes. We also hope that the new minibuses will be made available to us when they start operating fully in Lagos State,” he said.
