Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 22 branded Gokada and Maxokada motorcycles have been confiscated by officials of the Lagos State Task Force.
Chairman of the agency, Mr Olayinka Egbeyemi, during an enforcement exercise yesterday, described the activities of owners/operators of commercial ‘Gokada’ and ‘Maxokada’ as illegal, directing them to immediately comply with the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.
Mr Egbeyemi said a total of 115 motorcycles were impounded during the enforcement operations of which 22 belonged to Gokada and Maxokada. He said they allegedly plied restricted routes in the state, including one-way around Ikeja, Ojota, and Maryland.
According to him, operators of these branded motorcycles did not obtain any valid documentations from the state government before starting the transportation business.
The Chairman reiterated that in accordance with the law, no commercial motorcycle operator is allowed to operate around 475 restricted routes including highways and bridges across the state.
“Government enjoined members of the public to henceforth desists from patronising commercial motorcyclists on all restricted routes as passengers are as well liable for prosecutions.
“It was an eye-sore seeing operators of these newly branded commercial motorcycles (Gokada/Maxokada) competiting for right of ways with motorists on highways and bridges across the state,” Mr Egbeyemi said.
He, however, stated that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Zubairu Muazu, has directed that 10 arrested riders be immediately charge to court for prosecution.
One of the arrested ‘Gokada’ rider (Mr. Ayeni Francis) who claimed to be paying N3000 per day to their authority said they were not aware of any documentations with the government.
Another arrested rider Mr. Adebayo Adeniran confirmed that he collected one of the newly branded commercial motorcycle ‘Maxokada’ on higher purchase from the management after he presented a guarantor.
Adedapo Adesanya