Tope Balogun, the Lagos governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), has promised to lift the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in the state if elected governor.

The 40-year-old candidate told journalists in Lagos that he would also lift the ban on transport unionism if voted into power on Saturday.

Mr Balogun said he would also deploy technology to regulate the activities of commercial motorcycle operators and transport unions, as well as enforce relevant laws to make them orderly and more productive.

According to him, a high unemployment rate and economic hardship will necessitate the lifting of the ban.

“In a mega city, every form of transportation must be working simultaneously,” the governorship hopeful said, citing the negative effect of the ban on okada.

He added, “We must fight security issues with security measures, not banning people’s means of livelihood. We are supposed to deploy the technology on motorbikes to detect criminals.” 

According to him, the state can also create routes for motorcycles and bicycles to reduce accidents.

“We want our transportation system to be well developed. We are not going to ban the use of any transportation system.

“Even bicycles should be allowed. We are not using our waterways much,” Mr Balogun said.

On the ban on transport unions and setting up of Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Mr Balogun said: “If I come into government, I will restore transport unions.

“How do we explain the ban on NURTW (National Union of Road Transport Workers) and RTEAN (Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria) while the state’s park management committee is doing the same things that the transport unions are doing?”

“I will lift this ban on transport unions. We will rather make the transport unions own up to their corporate social responsibility,” he said.

(NAN)