Okada Ban: FG Cannot Interfere In The Matter - Amaechi

On the Sunrise Show on Channels TV, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday, said that the Federal Government cannot meddle in the affairs of the Lagos State Government, regarding the state's decision to ban the movement of okada and tricycles.

The ban which took effect on February 1 states that no okada or tricycles should ply certain roads and highways. Amaechi said that the issue was a state one and there was nothing the Federal Government could do.

“Implementation of transport policy is essentially a state affair. So you can’t be telling a state whether they want ‘okada’ or tricycles or not. That’s not our responsibility. It is for the state government to decide what to do,” he said

“Speaking as a former Governor, when I was in Rivers State, they were using motorcycles to rob and kidnap people; and the police could never get them because they were using cars; so I banned motorcycles and we had peace. The number of accidents was also high – the orthopaedic hospital was full every day. 

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“I don’t know the reason why the Governor of Lagos state banned it; only he can tell you. I am sure he made his decision based on the interests of a majority of Lagosians.

“But he has a problem to face, which is unemployment and increase in crime.”