Okada, Keke Napep Ban Takes Effect In Lagos: Operators, Citizens React
Starting from today – Saturday, February 1, 2020 – motorcycles and tricycles will no longer be seen on many roads in Lagos. This is as a result of a ban on their operations in certain areas by the state government.
According to the government, the ban also affects bike hailing services Oride, Gokada, MAXOkada and others.
Lagos State government has cited high cases if accidents, traffic congestion, robberies as some of the reasons for the ban. It also says the operations do not align with the Mega City dream it has. It cites the statistics of accidents recorded at general hospitals across its metropolis, which puts the figure at over 1000 between year 2016 and 2019, with over 600 deaths, as enough reason for the decision.
The ban has not been received well by the operators and citizens who patronise them. Many motorcycle and Keke Napep operators have called the government’s decision callous.
“What do they want us to eat? Many of us have children we are sponsoring their education,” one operator tells Neusroom.
Citizens have also criticised the action as inconsiderable and ill-timed, particularly as there are no immediate alternatives for those directly affected.
One person, Ava Momoh said in response to LASG on Twitter, “NOBODY as in absolutely NOBODY wants to ride Okada for a living. NO-bloody-BODY wants to do it. They do it because there is a demand and they need the money. If you created an alternative that would reduce demand, then you’d simply see less bikes on the road. But no o! BAN! BAN! BAN!”
Another person, Tiromini said, “Note that there are some routes in Ikeja that has no bus plying them. We have only these keke and okada. Are we going to start trekking? At least, let keke remain. Abi, how will I carry load from market to my gate like this?”
The riders have revealed to Neusroom that there are plans to embark on a peaceful protest on Saturday when the ban takes effect.
Will the people be able to force the government to reverse the ban?
