Amid protests over the state government ban on Okada and tricycles popularly called Keke Marwa in some parts of the state, Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, vowed that his government would not reverse its decision for safety reasons.
The governor gave the vow while speaking at the formal launch of LAGFERRY operations, mobile app and commissioning of 14 commercial boats at Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah.
Sanwo-Olu, while justifying the ban, said that as a responsible government, his administration would not fold its arms and allow security breach in the state.
“Let me tell you about the ban which we just enforced. We will sustain the ban on Okadas and tricycles, mainly because of security and safety reasons. Security and safety of citizens is paramount to any government. As a responsible government, we will not fold our arms and allow any security breach in the state.
“We will continue to ensure the safety of our people on all fronts. There have been reports of serious security breaches and safety concerns in areas where these operators ply. We had to respond to these concerns because life and safety matter to this government,” he said
The governor assured that the number of ferry boats would be increased to 30 before the end of the year, disclosing that more than 500 buses would be injected into the state bus transport system to ease transportation problems.
The boats have the capacity to ferry 40 to 60 passengers at a go and will commute passengers from Ikorodu, Ebute Ero, CMS, Badore, and Ikoyi amongst other routes.
Sanwo-Olu said the launch was in fulfilment of his administration’s promise to provide an effective and integrated intermodal transportation system.
The governor pointed out that water transportation was one of the intermodal transportation tripods the state government was committed to developing as a strategy to reduce congestion on its roads which accounts for over 90 per cent of commuting in the state.
