Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos challenged the leadership of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI)

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos has challenged the leadership of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI), to conceptualize an alternative sustainable business plan for commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders whose operations are affected by the new Lagos traffic law, for consideration by the state government.

Fashola said, “LCCI, being an umbrella body for business operators in the state should also assist the state with implementable plans that will help Lagos maintain its position as a preferred business destination for West Africa.

It would be recalled that Governor Fashola in August this signed the new Lagos Road Traffic Lagos which barred the operations of motorcycles on all express roads, bridges and over 400 other roads in the state. Under the law, the operations of commercial motorcycles are restricted to localities where buses are insufficient or do not ply.

The enforcement of the law has so far seen thousands of motorcycles impounded by security operatives including the police and Lagos State taskforce on environment and other special offences, leading to public concern as to the alternative the state government is providing for thousands of okada operators who have lost their means of livelihood to the new law. While have expressed full support, others have however called for the review of the law.

But the state government is resolute as Fashola at an event to mark the 2012 Lagos Community Day last week, said he would not preside over an a government that would bequeath to Lagos and the future generation, motorcycle as a means of public transportation.

Fashola spoke at the close of the 2012 Lagos international trade fair, stressing that his administration would welcome any meaningful idea similar to that of “Yellow Taxis” operators and several other public/private initiatives in the State.

Represented at the event by Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, his deputy, the governor said Lagos, forging a strategic partnership with the private sector was an economic development model informed by the need to embrace an economic development that guarantees sustainable growth and