Lagos has, since September 1, joined a few other states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in banning commercial motorcyclists (popularly called Okada) from operating at certain places
So far, there has been a reduction in the rate of accidents involving Okada in cities the policy has been enforced, which suggests that the governments meant well. But let’s spare a thought for the cyclists who are mainly unemployed persons. In the case of Lagos, the policy is sure to bring monumental problems for the riders as well as their customers. We believe that was why the state legislature had asked the government to suspend the policy.
Lagos should not replace one illegality with another illegality. If lawmakers have been elected to make laws, they should be obeyed. As representatives of the people, the Lagos lawmakers must have felt the pulse of those that would be affected by the ban and reasoned that they should not be deprived of their source of revenue abruptly.
They could have taken note of the fact that the state government was yet to provide alternative means of transportation for the millions of Lagosians that have now been stranded or strained since last Wednesday. Besides, as has been alleged by the Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) in the state, overzealous policemen and officials of the Lagos State Traffic management Authority (LASTMA) had started seizing motorcycles well ahead of the August 31 deadline. To get his motorcycle back, each owner parts with N5,000 or more.
Ordinarily, we would have supported the Lagos State government completely: The order prevents the riders from carrying pregnant women and children or more than one passenger at a time. They are to wear crash helmets and hold a licence; they must not be seen on the highways. In fact, Okada should not be a means of transportation anywhere in the country, if for the fact that many of the riders are hemp smokers.
However, Okada has also brought some benefits since its appearance together with economic emergencies in the 1980s: It has complemented taxicabs that have been in short supply. Owing to bad roads and constant traffic jams, Okada has been the preferred means of getting to many places. Especially in Lagos, you cannot keep an appointment at certain hours without patronising Okada.
On behalf of the Okada riders of Lagos, we plead with the state government to show more compassion on families that have now lost their source of income. It should not give a licence to unscrupulous LASTMA and police officials to extort Okada owners. Since the House of Assembly wants the government to stay action on the regulation, it should be obeyed.