By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Lagos State government has announced a total ban on motorcycles and tricycles, popularly known as Keke Marwa in selected local government areas across the state.
This will be a total enforcement of the 2012 state Traffic Law on activities of motorcyclists, popularly called Okada and tricycles, called “Keke Marwa” on restricted routes and bridges.
The statement did not, however, specify if the order included the private power bike owners.
But unlike the previous ban that restricted motorcycles to certain routes, the current ban outlaws its use in all the affected areas.
And unlike the previous ban that allows power bikes such as the type used by Opay, Gokada and those used by courier companies, the current ban outlaws them all.
The areas to be affected by the ban are Apapa, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Surulere, Itire, Ikate, Coker, Ikeja, Onigbongbo, Ojodu, Eti Osa, Ikoyi, Obalende, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos Island Local government and Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area.
The state commissioner for transportation, Dr Frederic Abimbola Oladeinde, says the ban takes effect from February 1.
He also added that the decision was taken following the advice of the state security council as a measure to check the spate of crimes aided by motorcycles and tricycles.