Ondo Bans Okadas on Some Akure Routes, Promises Safety Upgrades Near Schools

Parents and residents in Akure are being told to prepare for changes to how they get around the state capital, as the Ondo State Government rolls out a ban on commercial motorcycles, or okadas, on some routes.

The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Transport, Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi, told journalists in Akure on Tuesday that the move was aimed at improving traffic management across the state.

"Okada operations have been banned on some routes in Akure. Riders approaching from the Police Officers' Mess route will be restricted to approved locations, while those coming through the First Bank area in Alagbaka will terminate their operations around the Teaching Service Commission axis in Akure," Ogunyemi said.

He said road safety upgrades were also planned, particularly around schools and other sensitive locations, where zebra crossings and speed limit signs would be installed to protect pedestrians, many of them children on their way to and from class.

"People should cooperate with the government to allow the free flow of traffic. The government is doing everything possible to make the state capital a better place," he said.

Ogunyemi said the government was ready to prosecute motorists, commercial motorcycle riders and other road users who violated traffic regulations, especially at traffic lights.

He said the enforcement followed weeks of public enlightenment campaigns meant to prepare residents for changes to the traffic landscape, including the ongoing flyover construction in the state capital.

"We have noticed that Okada riders and tricycle operators often fail to wait for the green signal before moving. Such behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates traffic regulations will be arrested and prosecuted," Ogunyemi said.

He said road users, including families navigating the city daily, would need to adjust to stricter compliance with traffic lights and designated bus stops.

"The people living in the state capital should know that it is no longer business as usual. They must obey traffic lights and traffic regulations. We want to ensure that we do more on enforcement, having already commenced sensitisation and enlightenment for road users," he said.

The Special Adviser urged residents to support the government's efforts to modernise the city's transport infrastructure and keep traffic flowing smoothly across Akure.