Okada ban: operators plan to defy order, says they will not leave Lagos road

 Okada ban: operators plan to defy order, says they will not leave Lagos road

By Modupe shodeinde

Okada riders, under the auspices of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), said they would not leave Lagos routes and would act in defiance of the ban on operations of commercial motorcyclists in the state if not included in the state’s empowerment plans.
The Guardian reports that some of the riders accused Sanwo-Olu of marginalisation, stating that the government has no consideration for their economic welfare.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had recently renewed vigour to impose stricter measures to stop the operations of commercial motorcyclists known as okada riders in the state.
The governor had said the total ban on commercial motorcycles would take effect from June so that the First and Last Mile Buses (FLM) could take over inner roads because of some criminal activities related to motorcycle operators as well as fatal accidents.
However, operators of these commercial motorcycles have kicked against this ban, urging the government to initiate a welfare scheme that would take care of the citizenry before commencement of the enforcement.
One of the riders, who plies Ejigbo-Iyana-Isolo route told the Guardian that, “Before, I started to ride okada, I had done many things to survive. I wrote applications for jobs, upgraded my certificates, still I couldn’t get a job to feed my family. It was even my friend that introduced me to where I was able to get the motorcycle through a hire purchase.
“Now they want to take it away from us without giving us anything. How does the governor want us to survive, does he want us to become criminals and they want us to leave the road, to where?”
Another rider, Seye Omikunle said: “Because of the way the police were disturbing us, we don’t even work during the day. They said we are using the bike for illegal activities. I want to ask, is it all of us? Why can’t they do investigations to fish out those involved and allow us to continue with our businesses in peace since they can’t give us jobs.”
“I have three children and a wife who I pay their school fees and give them N1,000 in the morning before leaving the house. I pay rent and bills. How do they want me to be there for my home? Most of us don’t even go through the expressway so what are they saying,” Oriyomi questioned.
Some of the operators have called for the indictment of police officers who own bikes. They alleged that some policemen would impound bikes to enforce the restrictions order and give the bikes to Hausa riders requesting for daily returns.

Read More  LASDRI boss warns drivers against reckless driving

lagosstreetjournal

Related post