The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday set up a five-man ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged menace caused by commercial motorcycle operators “Okada’’at FESTAC Town, Lagos.
This followed a petition by FESTAC Residents Association and read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk of the House, Mr Ganiyu Abiru.
According to the letter, on August 12, 2012, former Governor Babatunde Fashola signed into law the ban of commercial motorcycles operation in some parts of Lagos metropolis, FESTAC Town inclusive.
“ However, up till now, the law is begging for enforcement in FESTAC Town. All manners of kidnappings and hooliganism perpetrated by Okada operators make residents to live in a state of perpetual fear and high trauma.
“Ghastly and fatal accidents, hire killings, kidnapping, snatching of bags, phones, laptops and robbery both day and night are linked to Okada operators and their collaborators.
“Help us to phase out the menace of Okada operation in FESTAC Town; enough is enough,’’ the association said in the letter.
Reacting, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu (PDP- Amuwo/Odofin 1), urged the Assembly to wade into the menace of Okada operators in the area.
“Lagos State House of Assembly has to come in because there are couples of menace caused by Okada operators in the area. There is an increase in crime rate,’’ he said.
The lawmaker, whose constituency covered the area, said the police had been having confrontations with the Okada operators, alleging that some were said to be using charms.
He urged the police to embark on continuous raiding of the area for the residents to sleep with their two eyes closed.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, tasked the committee to look into the operations and report back to the House in seven days.
Members of the committee are Mr Rasheed Makinde (APC-Ifako/Ijaiye 2), Mr Jude Idimogu (PDP-Oshodi/Isolo 2), Mr Victor Akande (PDP-Ojo 1), Mr Sola Giwa (APC-Lagos Island 2), Mr Raheem Kazeem (APC-Ibeju/Lekki 2) as head.
In a related development, a five-man ad hoc committee headed by Mr Saka Fafunmi (Ifako/ijaiye 1) submitted its report on a petition titled, “Persisting Issues Bothering the Lagos State University, External System’’.
Also, a six-man ad hoc committee led by Mr Rotimi Abiru (APC-Somolu 2) presented a report on Amendment of the Code of Ethics for Honourable Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
