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Tag: Ban

  • Ban on motorcycles will cripple cargo clearance in Lagos ports – Association

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) has said that the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in some parts of Lagos State will cripple cargo clearance at the Lagos ports.

    The Vice-President of the association, Mr Collins Farinto, said this on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Farinto told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that most agents used to ride on commercial motorcycles to the port to clear their cargoes.

    According to him, agents perform 99 per cent of their ports’ operations by patronising commercial motorcycles.

    He said that they used them when processing the documents meant to clear their goods within a short period of time from one port to another to avoid incurring demurrage.

    “Everybody can testify to it that all the activities relating to getting cargo documents processed have been made easy due to the availability of commercial motorcycles.

    “About 99 per cent of our job is done by transporting ourselves on motorcycles.

    “If we have any consignment to clear at the Tin-Can port or Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, one has to trek now or drive through the bad roads.

    “ Banning of motorcycles will have adverse effects on the economy of the state.

    “This is not what the Lagos State Governor promised us during his electioneering.

    “He promised to review and protect the operations of motorcycles in the state,” Farinto said.

    He pleaded with the state government to reconsider the operations of motorcycles within the ports area to enable the clearing agents meet up with deadlines.

    NAN reports that the Lagos State Government last week announced that it would commence enforcement of the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 which banned the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in some Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with effect from Feb. 1.

    They include: Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

    The state government also listed the highways, bridges and roads where the law also banned motorcycles and tricycles from operating in the state.

  • Ban: Three feared killed as Okada riders clash with police gets messier

    Ban: Three feared killed as Okada riders clash with police gets messier

    At least three persons have been feared killed after a fight broke out between commercial motorcyclists and policemen at Ijora in Apapa, Lagos.

    The fight, which started around 9:30am, was said to have led to destruction of vehicles and other properties in the area.

    Policemen had gone to the port community to enforce the state government’s ban on commercial cycles but met stiff resistance from the operators who had earlier vowed to unleash mayhem in protest against the new order.

    Meanwhile, another protest has surfaced at Allen roundabout, Ikeja of the state.

    Commuters lamented that they were stranded at Bus Stops, had to trek long distances and pay higher transportation fares to their destinations since the ban commenced.

    Recall that the Lagos State Government had on January 26 announced that it would commence enforcement of the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 from February 1.

    More details later…

  • Okada, tricycle ban: Lagos to inject 65 new buses today

    Okada, tricycle ban: Lagos to inject 65 new buses today

    The Lagos State Government says it will inject 65 new buses on Lagos roads from Monday to cushion the effect of the ban on okada and tricycles riders.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Sunday hailed motorcycle and tricycle operators for complying with the restriction from six local government areas, major highways and bridges.

    “The level of compliance was over 90 %. In fact, some of the ride hailing companies directed their riders to obey the directive. This is commendable. The high level of compliance has shown that Lagosians agree with the government on the need to stop the danger that commercial motorcycles and tricycles have become – a big threat to safety of lives and security of our people. They should stand firm in supporting the government.

    “The little discomfort experienced by commuters on some routes due to the absence of motorcycles and tricycles is noted. This will not last as alternatives are being rolled out.

    “A fleet of 65 buses will join the others on some major routes as from Monday , February 3, 2020: No less than 550 more buses are being expected. Besides, 14 ferries will be commissioned on Tuesday. This will further open up the waterways, reduce travel time on various routes and provide safe, dependable and comfortable alternatives for commuters,” he said.

    Omotoso said government was not unaware that enforcing this directive might lead to some job losses, saying that the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, planned to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order, besides the programmes of various agencies, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Civic Engagement, Lagos State Parks and Gardens and others.

    “The government hereby warns all those who are planning to unleash violence on the state because of the ongoing enforcement to have a change of heart. Lagosians are peace loving and law abiding people, who will not embrace any disruption of their legal activities by failed politicians hiding under the evil of unwholesome activism. The law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that nobody takes the law into his hands. The government places a very high premium on law and order in the interest of all Lagosians. It will not fail to act when peace is threatened,” he said.

  • Commuters berate Lagos Govt as ban on Okadas, tricycles commences today [Photos]

    Commuters berate Lagos Govt as ban on Okadas, tricycles commences today [Photos]

    Major roads and highways in Lagos State were deserted by okada and tricycle riders on Saturday as the ban on them from plying certain routes in the metropolis takes effect.

    But several commuters have to pay the price as many were seen trekking long distance as there were no okada riders to take them to their destinations.

    Recall that the Lagos State Government had last Monday banned okada and tricycle riders in 15 councils, major highways and all bridges across the State, with effect from 1 February.

    Deserted street in CMS without okadas, tricycles

    There was massive compliance by okada and tricycle riders to the ban as they stayed away to avoid being arrested by the police and their motorcycles seized.

    At CMS bus stop, everywhere was cleared as there was no okada or tricycle rider on sight as commuters who could not get vehicles on time resorted to trekking.

    Passengers in areas such as Lawanson, Shitta, Ijesha, Cele Bus stop, Ojuelegba, Mushin, and Iyana-Isolo were left stranded at bus stops while some decided to take the long walk down to their destination.

    There were few security patrols in some of the highways and major roads that were outlined by the Lagos State Government as restriction for Okada and Keke. Just a handful of Okada and Keke were seen on the roads trying to maneuver their way from the eyes of the Lagos State Task Force.

    In Ikeja, okada riders and tricycles obeyed the ban except for some few adventurous ones who were out to make brisk money.

    At the Old Abeokuta Road, several people were seen trekking down to Abattoir as there were no okadas and tricycles to convey them to their destination.

    Meanwhile, commuters have started lamenting the ban and the pains they have to go through to get to their destination. They said government should have rolled out and tested alternatives before effecting the ban.

    A visibly angry and stranded commuter said: “Now that Gokada, Max Okada and Oride are banned, hope you know it’s not just the cyclist that will lose his job. The secretary in Gokada office, the HR, the trainers, the managers, the cleaner, the gateman, the app manager, the developer and so on. It’s a long term menace.”

    Deserted street in CMS without okadas, tricycles

    An okada user on twitter simply said: “Lagos state government did not provide ONE BUS. They just banned Okada and keke and said, yall go fuck yourselves. In 2023, you people will go out like sheep and vote for them and say, “Jimi Agbaje is not talking” Take your city back from these bastards.”

    Another enraged user said: “I came out of the house this morning only to notice the streets of Lagos Island was clear without a sight of Okada or Keke. After Trekking for 35 mins to Obalende, I got a bus to Yaba. Now I can’t even start the project because of fatigue. Nigerians are suffering on the street of Lagos.”
    In his response, Olusoga Owoeye said “many Nigerians have absorbed the culture of now-now and it is dangerous, each time I ask an Okada man what he will be doing at 65, they go blank! How do you immerse your youthful energy in a job that won’t build your old age. We don’t have plumbers anymore.”
    However, The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the compliance of commercial motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) operators to the ban and restriction in the state was “pretty good”.

    The LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olajide Oduyoye, said on Saturday that there would not be fight or argument with any operator who willingly complied with the law.

    He said that officers of the authority were on ground for the enforcement of the extant law on Okada and Keke operations from today (Feb 1).

    “The compliance is pretty good for the first day. We hope to see that a lot will comply more and more. Operators must keep doing what the law says. There is no problem; once there is compliance, there is no need for any enforcement. There is no need for any fight or any incident on the road. It is just for the people to just comply and that is it,” Oduyoye said.

    The LASTMA boss said the enforcement was to control the unrestrained behaviour and recklessness of the operators in the state which contributed to the traffic bottlenecks in the state.

    The traffic manager explained that the operations of tricycle and motorcycle riders had also been creating traffic bottlenecks and chaos in the state and accused them of regularly riding against traffic.

    “The difficulty we always have is this Keke and Okada riding against traffic and causing a lot of traffic chaos.

    “When a minor accident happens with Keke scratching a vehicle and there is an argument, it disrupts the traffic flow. That made our jobs a lot more difficult. So, now that they are going to be off the major highways, our work will be much easier. The motorists creating traffic chaos will not have Keke or Okada to blame again

    “LASTMA officers are up to the task. We are going to do our job as diligently as we are supposed to,’’ Oduyoye said.

    Shitta Bus Stop

    According to him, “we will operate where we are supposed to operate and work to make sure that traffic is flowing as much as possible.

    “We expect that since so many junctions and corners will be free of Keke and Okada parks and loitering; when enforcement comes up, there will be better traffic flow in Lagos State from today,” Oduyoye added.

    According into him, if the operators had stayed within the ambit of the law and operate within the law, there won’t be problem as a lot of people still rely on them.

    “We can see their apprehension and likely pain; but I blame the operators for misbehaving in such a way that their operations become security and safety issues.

    “No responsible government will sit back and allow this to grow and to grow out of hand; which is exactly what is happening,” he added.

  • Okada ban: Motorcycle operators protest in Lagos

    Okada ban: Motorcycle operators protest in Lagos

    Some commercial motorcycle operators on Friday took to the street to express their grievances over the recent decision of the state government to restrict their movement in some Local Government Areas, bridges, and highways in the state.

    The operators which include majorly that of Gokada and Max.ng staged a peaceful protest from Oregun road to the state capital in Ikeja.

    Bearing various placards, the protesters appealed to the state government to regulate their services and not restrict them from operating.

    They lamented that the business is their only means of survival.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, announced earlier this week that the government would enforce the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in six local government areas, as well as major highways and bridges from February 1.

    He explained that the decision was taken after a robust assessment of the debate on the rate of accidents in Lagos, saying security and safety of the lives of the residents were paramount.

    He also warned that all offenders and violators would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the statement.

  • Ban: Lagos denies licensing companies to run ‘okada’ business

    The Lagos State Government has denied giving licence to any company to operate commercial services with motorcycles popularly known as Okada, following a ban it placed on the means of transportation in six local governments and nine local council development areas of the state.

    Lagos State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Gbenga Omotosho who disclosed this on ‘Sunrise Daily’, said what the government has been trying to do is to regulate commercial motorcyclist so that their excesses can be curtailed.

    He said; “You are talking about registration; as far as I am concern, the government has not registered any company to come and be running okada. In fact, what the government was trying to look at is how to regulate these people so that their excesses can be curtailed.

    “But as far as I know, nobody has been licenced to go and start running okada because it is unfortunate that … the rate at which people are dying; the rate at which people are being robbed on the roads; the police are worried, everybody is worried.”

    Omotosho also disclosed that the Lagos State Government decided to enforce the ban after a robust assessment of the debate on the rate of accidents in the state. He alleged that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) recorded about 104,000 accident cases involving the common Lagosians with broken arms and legs.

    The Commissioner also made a clarification on the ban, stating that courier services operators are allowed to ply all routes because they don’t constitute so much danger.

    Omotosho added; “The guys who are doing courier services, for example, they don’t carry passengers and they don’t constitute so much danger. So, those ones are allowed.

    “They have to be above 200cc and you have to have a box behind you that you are doing courier service and you don’t have to carry passengers; you have to be well-kitted and wear your helmet.”

  • Manchester City fan handed 5-year ban

    Manchester City fan handed 5-year ban

    A Manchester City fan, Ian Baldry, was banned from football matches for five years by Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to racially abusing England forward Raheem Sterling.

    Baldry made a racist remark after Manchester City forward Sterling scored against Bournemouth in an English Premier League (EPL) match in Dec. 2018, a previous hearing at the court was told.

    The 58-year-old, who told the court he has since regretted using the language, was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

    Sterling did not hear the comment at the time, although it was heard by a number of supporters, the court was told.

  • FRSC gives condition for use of Google map while driving

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has made clarified its ban on the use of Google Maps while driving.

    The FRSC Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi, speaking at a news conference in Abuja said road users can only use Google Maps with the aid of car-holding phone devices.

    The commission had earlier banned the use of google maps on smartphones while driving, threatening arrest and prosecution. However, the Marshal reinstated his statement but with a condition on how the application is to be used.

    According to him, those nabbed making use of Google map without the aid of car-holding phone devices will be arrested and prosecuted.

    He said; “The use of google maps while driving is allowed, but hand-held driving and usage are offences associated with driving and anyone caught would face the law squarely. If you must use Google map while driving, you must get the car-holding phone devices which is both for your safety and for better usage of the device and the application.”

  • I was wrongly banned by FIFA-Siasia declares

    Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has stated that he has been wrongly accused, banned and fined by FIFA for an offence he never committed.

    Siasia was fined $50,000 and banned for life by FIFA for allegedly agreeing to ‘the manipulation of matches’ for betting purposes.

    In a media statement ,the 54-year-old lamented how his effort to clear his name from the embarrassing claims has been frustrated by FIFA.

    He also stated that FIFA has so far not presented proof to back their claims that he indulged in the allegations levelled against him.

    “At this appeal, because I know that I am very innocent of the charges and I never participated in any of the previous proceedings simply because I was unaware, I was so confident I had a strong case and instructed my legal representatives in this matter,” Siasia stated.

    “My lawyers have informed me that CAS made a decision which favours FIFA and prejudices me to strike out my claim for compensation and have thus reinstated it.

    “I am saying I was wrongly banned for life, and because FIFA informed the whole world of my alleged commission of the offences of match fixing and bribery I feel I am entitled to claim for compensation for this terrible slaw and aspersion that they cast against my character globally.

    “I want the world to know that rather than correct itself now that FIFA knows of the strength of my appeal and the evidence given thus far to prove that I could not have committed the alleged offences of match fixing and bribery, FIFA continues to spread false allegations that I was involved with the match fixer without any shred of evidence and has continued to do so because it knows there is no compensation claim.”

    Siasia also expressed dissatisfaction at the Nigeria Football Federation for their lack of support in his quest to clear his name.

    “I do not want to interfere with my lawyers professional course of duty, but my family and I are pained that the Nigeria Football Federation and other agencies of Government are yet (in spite of promises) to lift a finger in my support.

    “No overtures have been made to my lawyer and I with support, financially and otherwise officially, all I have heard from Mr Pinnick through my wife is that they will be supportive, it’s a mantra I have been hearing since August when this matter happened up till date.”

     

  • Russia banned from Olympic Games

    Russia banned from Olympic Games

    Russia was banned from the Olympics and other major world championships on Monday after sporting officials decided to punish it for tampering with doping-related laboratory data in another blow to Russia’s already tarnished sporting reputation.

    The decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), imposed a four-year ban on Russia participating in a range of top-flight sporting tournaments, a period covering the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup.

    WADA’s executive committee took the decision after concluding that Moscow had tampered with laboratory data by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats.

    The decision to punish Russia with a ban was unanimous, a WADA spokesman said.

    Russia, which has tried to showcase itself as a global sports power, has been embroiled in doping scandals since a 2015 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics.

    Its doping woes have grown since, with many of its athletes sidelined from the past two Olympics and the country stripped of its flag altogether at last year’s Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games.

    Monday’s sanctions, which also include a four-year ban on Russia hosting major sporting events, were recommended by WADA’s compliance review committee in response to the doctored laboratory data provided by Moscow earlier this year.

    One of the conditions for the reinstatement of Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, which was suspended in 2015 in the wake of the athletics doping scandal but reinstated last year, had been that Moscow provide an authentic copy of the laboratory data.

    The sanctions effectively strip the agency of its accreditation.

    RUSADA head Yuri Ganus could not be immediately be reached for comment. His deputy, Margarita Pakhnotskaya, told the TASS news agency that WADA’s decision had been expected.

    Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov last month attributed the discrepancies in the laboratory data to technical issues.

    Russia’s punishment leaves the door open for clean Russian athletes to compete at major international sporting events without their flag or anthem for the next four years, something they did at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

    Some Russian officials have tried to cast WADA’s behaviour as part of what they say is a broader Western attempt to hold back the country.

    Igor Lebedev, a lawmaker and deputy speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, said on Monday the move was a serious blow to Russian sport that required a tough response from Russia’s authorities, the RIA news agency reported.

    If RUSADA appeals WADA’s punishment, the case will be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.