New Traffic Law: Okada riders sue Lagos State Government

 

The Okada riders in Lagos, under the umbrella of All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, yesterday dragged the Lagos State Government to court over its new road traffic law.

It can be recalled that, Governor Babatunde Fashola on Aug. 2 signed the Lagos State Road Traffic Bill into law.

The commercial motorcyclists, also known as Okada operators, – under the aegis of All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, ANACOWA, – filed the suit before an Ikeja High Court in Lagos.

The suit was filed on their behalf by a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu.
The suit is yet to be assigned to any judge and no date has been fixed for hearing.

The defendants in the suit are the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Ade Ipaye.

Declaration on major highways in LagosThe claimants sought a declaration that “The Major Highways in Lagos listed in Items 1-11 and other parts of Schedule II of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law No. 4 of 2012 are Federal Roads within the meaning of the Federal Highways Act, cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

They urged the court to declare section 3(1) of the law which prohibits the riding, driving or propelling of a cart, wheel barrow, motorcycle or tricycle on the Major Highways in Lagos, as unconstitutional.

The commercial motorcyclists further asked for a declaration that the defendants have no power whatsoever to make any law to regulate traffic on any of the Federal Roads.

Meantime, the national executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has asked that the government urgently construct additional motor-parks across the state.

Speaking on behalf of the union, National President of NURTW, Alhaji Najim Yasin who made this known yesterday, during a courtesy visit to the Lagos House, Alausa, said “it will aid effective compliance of the new law by the commercial drivers in the state.”

According to Yasin, “There are not enough motor-parks in the state considering the number of buses operating here. The motor-parks across the state are congested. Many commercial vehicle operators cannot access the motor-parks. And when they do not have where to park their buses, this if not addressed, will make them flout the new traffic law.”

He, however, urged the state and the local government to build more motor-parks across the state.
Responding, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said the traffic law has not come to impoverish the union but to ensure that the cooperation between the government and union continues effectively.

According to Fashola, “It is in the best interest of the commercial drivers and the union. It is meant to better our life.”

He however said that the state government has not banned union activities in the motor parks.