Others hail LASG for ban
By Kola Alhassan
The Lagos State Government today started the enforcement of Okada ban in some selected Local Government Areas in the state.
It had announced that from June 1, 2022, Okada will be banned in six local government areas: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, and Surulere.
Nevertheless, the police in Lagos deployed officers to different parts of the state to prevent breakdown of law as a result of an alleged plan by riders to protest.
This reporter went round Ikeja axis of the state to have a feel of the situation.
Policemen were seen at Ikeja Along to enforce the ban in the morning.
No commercial motorcyclist was seen unlike when they frequently used the BRT Corridor.
However, shop owners and residents of Ikeja, have warned that crime rate may worsen. They urged the Lagos State Government to provide minibuses to the riders at a subsidized rate, since most of them make a living from their bikes.
Others hailed the government for the ban, stating that it would reduce accidents.
Speaking to IkejaBird, Alhaji Taofeek Saudi, said: “Government should help Okada riders and give them tricycle or mini buses at subsidized rate and they would pay in instalments. This is a sort of help or solution.”
“If government doesn’t provide alternative, robbery would be on the increase, crime rate would also go up.”
He also said despite the ban, early in the morning an Okada killed a woman along the Ikeja BRT Corridor.
He said: “We cannot condemn government for banning Okada. If you look at them along the express, they take ‘one way’. Okada killed a woman today at Ikeja Along this morning. So, I support the ban.They should go to inner routes. It is not a total ban, they are still operating in Mushin, Agege and others. Government has not restricted them in all Lagos local governments. They make huge money and put citizens lives at risk. A rider once told me he makes N30,000 daily.”
He also advised government to repair deplorable roads because in some places like Apapa, only bikes help during traffic snarl.
Another respondent, Tunde Malik, urged residents to be careful at night now to ensure their valuables are not stolen, because very soon the Okada riders may start robbing people.
A shop owner in Ikeja, Jude Chimezie urged government to provide other means of transportation in traffic prone areas.
“I support the ban by Lagos State Government. They use it for stealing at night. Those riders are recklessly. I was not affected because I live at Command Ipaja and work here in Ikeja, so I always take bus. I am not a fan of Okada. To drive Okada on express is dangerous. Government has done well.”
“If LASG can find alternative in traffic prone areas, it would be nice,” he added.
Another resident who simply identified herself as Bunmi, stated that the motorcyclists should turn to dispatchers instead of protesting and probably resorting to crime.
“They should take the ban in good faith and use their bikes for delivering goods like dispatch riders. They should not use that as an excuse to protest or turn to crime, she said.
