Lagos Bans Tri-cycle Operators From Major Roads

Lagos State government Friday banned the
activities of Tri-cycle popularly called Keke
Napep from the major roads in the state,
saying, "it is meant to protect the lives and
property of the residents of the state."
The state government however vowed to
impound any disused and abandoned
vehicles across the state, explaining
"4,632 vehicles were currently abandoned on over
9,100 roads in theState.
Commissioner for transportation, Mr. Kayode
Opeifa disclosed this at the 2013 Ministerial Press
Briefing held in Alausa to mark the sixth
anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola's
administration.
Opeifa said that the state government had held
several meetings with the unions on the
development, adding "they have agreed to stay
away from these roads."
Some of the roads tri-cycles operation was
outlawed were: the entire Victoria Island,
Government Residential Area, GRA Ikeja and Ikoyi.
Also on Awolowo road and Awolowo way, Alausa
and entire major roads in Surulere Local
Government.
Opeifa warned that tri-cycling isn't a replacement
for motorcycle popularly called Okada in the state,
adding "it isn't a sustainable means of transport for
the state especially Lagos that is a megacity."
According to him, "I learnt that some Okada riders
have began to sell their motorcycle to by tricycle
but they can no longer operate on these major
roads again."
The commissioner explained that section 3 of the
2012 Lagos road traffic law also outlawed the
operation of the tri-cycle in the state.
It will be recalled that Fashola signed the road
traffic bill into law last year, aimed at improving
safety on the Lagos roads.
"After that law was gazetted, the state government
allowed tri-cycle to operate on some of these roads
because vehicles available in those roads weren't
enough to convey the passengers plying the road,"
he said.
Opeifa stated that today, the state has enough Bus
Rapid Transport, BRT and LAGBUS buses, taxis and
others are now available on these roads and the
tricycle wouldn't be needed.
ON ABANDONED BUSES
The commissioner said "They constitute threat
security of lives and property in the state."
According to him, "While we are proud to improve
on information of the removal of over 4,300
abandoned and disused vehicles from Lagos roads,
it is saddening that recent survey by the CDA/
CDC's under the supervision of the Ministry of Rural
Development have again in the last 3 month
identify another 4,632 vehicles abandoned on over
9,100 roads in Lagos State."
He added "These vehicles are veritable tools for
hoodlums, miscreants, armed robbers and other
forms of social vices. So also they pose health risk.
We will not relent on enforcement."
"To spare part dealers vehicle/Auto sales dealers
please be advised as vehicles illegally displayed on
road setback will be treated as abandoned/disused
vehicle," Opeifa said.
On this, the commissioner said "we have instructed
officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management
Authority, LASTMA and Vehicle Inspection Service,
VIS, to immediately begun to impound any
abandoned or disuse cars in the state."