The Lagos State government said on Sunday that there has been a massive drop in the rate of fatal accidents involving commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘Okada,’ since the restriction of their movements in six local governments comprising 475 routes, including major roads, highways and bridges across the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Omotoso disclosed that data from the State Police Command confirmed that Okada-rider accidents reduced from 19 in January 2020 before the restriction order to one between February 1st and 20th.
According to him, the only accident involved a trailer with registration number GWL-315-XA and a Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number SMK-386-QA along Sagamu Road, by Cele Bus-Stop, Ikorodu.
“The February lone accident, which happened on 02/02/2020 at about 1200 hours, involved a Hovo Sino Trailer with registration number GWL-315-XA, driven by one Shaibu Abdullahi, allegedly knocked down a Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number SMK-386-QA along Sagamu Road, by Cele Bus-Stop, Ikorodu,” he said.
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The commissioner, while giving further details about the incident, added that “the rider, named Walbe Deshi and his passenger, also identified as Sadiq Seyok, sustained severe injuries and were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment where the rider later died.”
Omotoso argued that the current situation was a radical departure from the casualty rate between January and December 2019 when there were 168 commercial motorcycles accidents involving 226 victims, leaving 201 persons dead.
While reiterating the present administration’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of all Lagos residents, Omotoso assured that the palliative measures being rolled out by the government would provide enduring and permanent solutions to public transportation problems in Lagos State.
He maintained that the present difficulty being experienced in the transport sector was one of the attributes of megacities that witnessed a huge influx of migrants, assuring further that Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team had the experience and wherewithal to fashion-out permanent solutions to the lingering issues in the traffic and transportation sector.
“Residents should remain confident that this administration is doing everything necessary to fulfil its promises under each pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. There will always be challenges but strategies are in place to confront and surmount every difficulty arising from the need to accommodate the people who arrive Lagos daily to seek greener pastures,” the commissioner assured.
He, therefore, solicited for the cooperation, support and understanding of the citizenry in the quest to achieve a greater Lagos.
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