Okada restriction does not exempt police, soldiers – Opeifa

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, has said the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from 475 roads in the state applies to policemen, soldiers and other law enforcement agents.

Opeifa said this during the visit of the new Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, Mr. Obafaiye Shem, to the commissioner in Lagos on Wednesday.

Opeifa, who said the state government had a good working relationship with Federal Government’s law enforcement agencies in the state, observed that policemen, soldiers and other security agents had always distinguished themselves to make sure that the state did not tolerate any form of lethargy or complacency.

He said, “The most discussed topic is the road traffic law. I want to reiterate that there is no going back on it. So, you have to inform your officers and men that it is an offence to ride a motorcycle on the median or without putting on crash helmet.

“The state believes in the rule of law. Some policemen and soldiers are still seen riding motorcycles on restricted routes. I want to say, nobody is above the law. We shall invoke the law on whoever contravenes it.”

Opeifa told the commandant that he looked forward towards a good partnership with the men of the NSCDC in enforcing the restriction on okada and other provisions of traffic law.

He said, “There will be technical meeting between the ministry of transportation and your organisation where we will further discuss and streamline areas of cooperation.”

Obafaiye commended government’s determination to give Lagosains an efficient transport system and promised to work in partnership with the ministry.

Earlier, Opeifa paid a visit to the accident victims at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, as part of the event marking the United Nations World Day of Remembrance of Accident Victims.

The commissioner and the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adewale Oke, said the number of okada accident victims had reduced greatly in the hospital.

Punch