By Kenneth AFOR, LAGOS
The Lagos Government has commenced the enforcement of the ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders on roads and major highways in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
The ban came into effect Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
READ ALSO: No going back on June 1 banning of commercial motorcycles – Sanwo-Olu
By this measure, it’s obvious that most of the operators in the affected areas will be rendered jobless.
Recall that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, May 18 announced that there will be be a total ban of the operation in Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa LGAs and their Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The ban was issued following the death of a sound engineer, David who was beaten and burnt to death allegedly by operators of the commercial motorcycles in Lekki, a high-brow area in the state on Thursday May 12, 2022.
Neptune Prime visited some areas where the ban has taken effect to observe the level of corporation by the operators and how it is being enforced.
Some of the areas visited by our correspondent – the popular Mile 2 Bridge along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Apapa-Ajeromi Ifelodun LCDA, Lagos Island, and Eti-Osa LGAs, it was observed that there was full compliance and enforcement of the ban in these areas.
One of the riders who operates along the Mile 2-Apapa axis told our correspondent that operatives of the Lagos State Task Force raided the area and took a truckload of motorcycles seized from him and his colleagues.
He said the government did the right thing to have informed them but they had to continue working to fend for themselves.
According to him, the ban by state government has taken away the only means of his livelihood, he said he has resorted to menial jobs which is helping road union transport workers to collect levies from commercial bus drivers.
The economic gains for commercial bus drivers and tricycle owners
The ban has given commercial bus drivers, tricycle riders/owners (Keke NAPEP) the opportunity to convey more passengers to their destinations it is also an opportunity to make more money daily in the absence of the Okada riders on the roads and highways.
Confirming the economic gains of the ban for commercial bus drivers, Mr Lanre Shitu who operates along the Mile 2 – Orile axis said he has been able to go up to seven trips between the peak period 7:00am to 10:00am.
According to him, the ban has made him and his colleagues to convey passengers more frequently, to this he said they will make more money.
