Banning ‘Okada’ in Lagos Long Overdue, Says DAWN Commission DG

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, on Wednesday, lauded the ban of motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’ in some parts of Lagos State by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu had announced the ban of motorcyclists in six local government areas of the state.

In a statement made available in Ibadan, by the Director-General of DAWN Commission, Mr Seye Oyeleye, the body said doing nothing was no longer an option.

Oyeleye said the Commission would work with other states in the Region to take a cue from Lagos and replicate the ban.

He lamented that the free movement of labour in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has greatly compounded the problem of okada in Sout-west, coupled with the rise of insurgency in the North, a latent army suddenly crept in on the zone.

The DG said: “The free movement of labour in ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) has greatly compounded the problem of okada in Sout-west, coupled with the rise of insurgency in the North, a latent army suddenly crept in on us. Unfortunately, there is no halfway house now, the boil must be lanced in order to start the healing. I am pretty sure the fallout will be handled and the positive outcomes will far outweigh the initial negatives.

“DAWN Commission totally supports the long overdue action of Mr. Governor in Lagos and we will work with our other states in the Region to take a cue from Lagos and replicate the ban. There is no point banning them in Lagos and they move down to the neighbouring states. This has become a major security issue and a joined up approach is needed now more than ever before to put an end to this menace. Doing nothing is no longer an option”.

Source: https://optimaltimesng.com/banning-okada-in-lagos-long-overdue-says-dawn-commission-dg/