The Lagos State Government unveiled the Digital Registration of Commercial Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) initiative to capture over 80,000 unregistered operators.
This initiative aims to enhance security, regulation, and improve efficiency for operators and the community. The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with SiiTech Technologies and Lagos State Parks and Garages (LASPG), is driving this initiative.
In 2020, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu banned the use of Okada and Keke in selected Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the state.
During the launch of the Digital Registration for commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) in Lagos State, Engr Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, emphasized the importance of transportation for an effective economy.
Toriola, represented by Engr. Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, the Director of Operations in the Ministry, stated,
“There is a need to regulate those areas where okada and keke have been permitted as means of transportation. Our investigation shows that we have about 80,000 okada operators who have not registered with the licensing authority of the state, and that is of serious concern to us, as it poses security and safety issues as well as leakage of funds that are supposed to go to the state.”
He further explained, “What we have done is to employ the services of SiiTech to digitally register all motorcycles and keke used as commuters for the movement of people in those areas where there is no ban.
“The data they would get would be submitted to the ministry’s department in charge of public transport services. When that is done, we would be able to trace those who are operating without a license, making it easier for us to take them off the road via technology.”
