Amid protests over the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada and tricycles in some parts of the state, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday maintained that the ban would not be reversed for safety reasons. The governor stated this at the launch of LAGFERRY operations mobile app and commissioning of 14 commercial boats at Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah.
The governor assured citizens that before the end of the year the ferryboats would be increased to 30 adding that more than 500 buses would be injected into the state bus transport system to ease transportation problems.
Sanwo-Olu said the launch is in fulfillment of his administration’s promise to provide effective and integrated inter modal transportation system. He explained that as a responsible government, his administration would not fold its arms and allow security breach in the state.
“We will sustain the ban on okadas and tricycles, mainly because of security and safety reasons. We will continue to ensure the safety of our people on all fronts. There have been reports of serious security breaches and safety concerns in areas where these operators ply. We had to respond to these concerns because life and safety matters to this government.”
The boats have the capacity to ferry 40 to 60 passengers at a go and will commute passengers from Ikorodu, Ebute Ero, CMS, Badore, and Ikoyi amongst other routes. In his welcome address, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAGFERRY, AbdulBaq Ladi Balogun, said the launch would set the next frontier for Lagos economy and chart a new course for water transportation in the state, which will also decongest traffic on the road.
Also, in a demonstration of its concern for commuters, especially those affected by the recent restriction placed on motorcycles and tricycles in some parts of the state, the Lagos State government on Monday deployed a fleet of 65 buses for the use of Lagosians. The buses inaugurated by the Lagos Bus Services Limited were deployed to new routes including Ikeja-Ogba; Berger-Ogba; and Ikeja-CMS. Others were Oshodi-Ajah; Obalende-Ajah; CMS-Ajah and Inner Marina-Ajah.
Speaking before the deployment, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Lagos Bus Services Limited, Idowu Oguntona, said it was an affirmation of Sanwo-Olu’s pledge to make the welfare of citizens a priority. Oguntona added that the new buses would help reduce the vacuum that might have been created by the restriction of motorcycles and tricycles in 15 local council by conveying a minimum of 35,000 Lagosians daily.
He assured Lagosians that they would enjoy the comfort of the buses on the new routes and that plans are at an advanced stage to add to the fleet, with no less than 550 mini-buses being expected. They would be deployed to inner routes that are not currently being served by the high capacity buses.