By Moses Godonu
There has been mixed reactions on the restriction of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) as the five days ultimatum given by the Lagos State Government lapses today Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Restriction of the two means of transportation by the state government has created mixed reactions, for and against the new development.
On a radio programme monitored on Saturday, many Lagosians were in support of the government actions saying, the restriction will actually reduce the high rate of accidents, crimes, dangers associated with Okada and Keke NAPEP, and nuisance constituted by the operators.
While some who were against the policy felt the government did not take into consideration the frustrating traffic situations of the state. It was also said that the government should have first provided alternative means of transportation before the restrictions.
It could be recall that Lagos State Government on Monday, January 27, 2020 again proscribed the operations of Okada and Keke NAPEP in 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs), 9 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and 10 major highways including forty bridges and flyovers across the state with effect from Saturday, February 1, 2020 in a bid to reduce accidents caused by Okada and Keke NAPEP.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, 
who made the announcement at the State House in Alausa, Ikaja has said that the measures were taken in response to “scary figures” of fatal accidents recorded from operations of Okada and Keke NAPEP between 2016 and 2o19.
“After a robust assessment of the debate on what has been widely referred to as the motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) menace, the Lagos State Government and the Security Council have decided that the security and safety of lives of Lagosians are paramount. The figures are scary” he said.
According to him, from 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,ooo accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone.
Gbenga Omotoso said the number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date.
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