The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has disclosed that the state has no intention of following Lagos State’s plan of banning commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada. He however stated that his administration will rather regulate, and identify criminals to be dealt with later.

Makinde disclosed this in a Q&A session on Twitter on Saturday morning with residents of the state.

He also revealed that in the last 30 days, the state has not heard of armed robbers or had any security issues.

What Makinde is saying

He said, “We have no intention of banning Okada. We will regulate them, we will identify them and the criminals will be dealt with. I have seen people with their cars jump okada to go to the bank. They are serving a purpose.”

We have no intention of banning Okada. We will regulate them, we will identify them and the criminals will be dealt with.
I have seen people with their cars jump okada to go to the bank. They are serving a purpose.

— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) June 4, 2022

He added that the state has also started an identity management. He said, “If we say ban because Lagos did it, what next? Those riding Okada legitimately you take them out of business.”

On human development achievements, he said, “When we came in we focused on 4 pillars: Education -we will ensure that Oyo State from WAEC results and other data, we were able to move from 26 to number 11.

“We also said that in the healthcare sector, primary, secondary and tertiary, we were going to ensure that our healthcare facilities were not just mere consulting rooms. To a large extent, we have been able to make progress.

We also said that in the healthcare sector, primary, secondary and tertiary, we were going to ensure that our healthcare facilities were not just mere consulting rooms. To a large extent we have been able to make progress.

— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) June 4, 2022

While on insecurity, reacting to incidents of the Abuja-Kaduna rail attack, he said the state has been proactive to ensure its rail axis is protected by working with the Commissioner of Police.

On the rail line, we don’t want a repeat of Kaduna on our rail line. Some people even come to Ibadan just to eat Amala and go back. So I invited the Commissioner of Police and asked to bring their shopping list as to how they will ensure that axis is properly policed.

— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) June 4, 2022

“We are proactive. We don’t wait for things to happen. We take the initiative. So we cover all these areas. What is important is that we have the cooperation of the people. Once they have issues and they don’t understand what is going on, they give us information”

“What people don’t realise is that in the last 30 days we have not heard of armed robbers or security issues. This is not because service commanders are sleeping. It is because of the work they are doing. People only talk about security when there are breaches.” he said.

What you should know

On May 18, 2022, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced a total ban of commercial motorcycle operators otherwise known as Okada riders in 6 local government areas in the state.
This came barely 2 days after a task force in the state embarked on a serious clampdown of Okada riders on the Lekki axis in a move that appears to be connected to the outrage that greeted the killing and burning of a young man, simply identified as David by suspected motorcyclists in the Admiralty area of Lekki, Lagos.
The affected local government listed by the governor includes Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa.
The Lagos State Government revealed yesterday that its ban on commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada riders, has recorded 85% compliance in the last 3 days.

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