I happen to have been on both sides of the table; either by getting quickly to places on time by using commercial motorcycles –popularly known as ‘Okada’ here in Nigeria-or having to condone motorcycles when behind the wheel as a motorist. As a matter of fact, commercial motorcycles here in Nigeria can be likened to big pest/insects on the road; they reduce the limited spaces meant for full-size vehicles and they always come as a major source of discomfort for motorists who have to contend with their existence and all the whims of Okada operators.

However, on the flip-side, there are clear reasons why the Okada business is still lucrative for the operators and also why they still get a substantial level of patronage from the populace. In busy cities like Lagos, Okadas provide an alternative means of transportion at fairly cheaper rates as opposed to hiring taxis or indulging the services of cabs.

There have been countless outcry from groups clamouring for the ban of these ‘okadas’ in Lagos and also, the Government has created stiffer penalties and restrictions for defaulting motorcycles operators-which most of them interpret as telltale signs of their eventual ban as seen in cities like Portharcourt, Uyo and Abuja. In this article we will be exploring various angles of the topic at the hand and also state four reasons why totally banning Okadas at the moment won’t solve anything and might turn out to be counter-productive.

Keke-Napeps are just bigger Okadas : Years back in the city of Owerri in Imo state, the government of the day issued a ban on the use of commercial bikes with the intention to ease flow of traffic and reduce crime. To cushion the effect of the ban, various kinds of three-wheeled automobiles-popularly referred to as keke-napeps- were introduced to replace these bikes. The resultant effect due to the poor bus and taxi distribution network in the state was reliance on the ‘kekenapeps’, just as it were with the banned motorcycles. This eventually increased the average cost of transportation and traffic congestions within the city. Overtime, the distribution network of these three-wheeled motorcycles became better organized, but still the populace still have to face heavy traffic congestions especially during peak movement periods partly due to kekenapeps taking up much more larger spaces than average conventional motorcycles. Bad enough, these kekenapeps are operated by the same brains behind the operation of Okadas; with the same averagely crude mentality, hence creating bigger problems. So if you happen to be in the school of thought that label three-wheeled automobiles as a lasting solution, I think you should have a re-think.
Okadas are practical solutions: For the time being, commercial motorcycles are unarguably the most practical and easily accessible means of transportation which a fair chunk of the Nigerian population rely on. To prove this, even in all the cities that have ‘banned’ commercial motorcycles, Okadas are still allowed to operate in some areas not withstanding. Okadas cushion the lapses created by lack of proper (affordable) bus/taxi network distribution. Simply put, okadas get to where buses and cabs don’t get to at affordable rates which proves to be equally convenient for most people.

Okadas increase transportation options and alternatives: show me someone who has never taken a commercial bike and I am sure you have a highly detached individual from the realities of Nigeria and her societal and infrastructural deficiencies. It’s no news that Nigeria roads are constantly under enormous pressure all year round, due to the absence or ineffectiveness of other transportation alternatives. The Lagos state government has championed projects to ensure the viability of other alternatives to road transport, but with the geometric rise of population within the city, these efforts are still not enough. The more reason more avenues have to be explored and properly set-up before Okadas are completely wiped off the roads. Without a doubt, the introduction of commercial motorcycles back in the 1970’s was meant to be a temporal solution, but as it seems now, the population have permanently waited for better transport infrastructure.

Crime: these commercial motorcycles, just like cars and other automobiles can be instruments in perpetrating crime. The eventual increased rate of crime is inevitable if commercial motorcycles are banned, which will be primarily due to loss of jobs. This can be even worse taking account of their present struggles-all the confrontations, court cases. Banning them at the moment might even turn out to be negative psychological motivation for them to get back on the street as angry and begrudged unemployed set of individuals ready to indulge in crime to survive. The result will be negative ripple effects which will only add to the number of masses being unemployed.
source:http://www.autobaseafrica.com/4-reasons-okada-ban-in-lagos-wont-solve-anything/

Ok.

Immune#1:
Keke-Napeps are just bigger Okadas : Years back in the city of Owerri in Imo state, the government of the day issued a ban on the use of commercial bikes with the intention to ease flow of traffic and reduce crime

okada has nothing to do with bad traffic

No purobulem!

First to comment

Okay

[size=18pt]SURE, OKADA BAN WON'T DO MUCH TO RESTORE SANITY TO THE ROAD TRANSPORTATION,BUT THEN, IF IT STILL HAS TO BE IN USE, THEY HAVE TO OPERATE IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER, TAKING CUE FROM TAXI COMPANIES. THAT WON'T BE A BAD IDEA, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP TABS ON EACH AND EVERY OF THEM, MAKING THEM TRACEABLE IF THEY TURN OUT AS DEFAULTERS. ANOTHER POSITIVE TURN OUT FROM THIS, BEING ABLE TO CALL FOR AN AVAILABLE OKADA WHEN THE NEED ARISES, JUST LIKE THE TAXIS. SURELY, THIS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY MANY.[/size]

Revealedtv: First to comment

First to give him a dirty slap reminding him that he was the 4th to comment..

Wow! I feel so good to comment again

Fashola is now drinking kain kain. We wake up everyday and all we see is new method without notice in advance. I saw hell today in the afternoon that I have to trek like a cow

Well this will surely increase the rate of crime in lagos.

I wonder how the affected riders are expected to cater for their families,if they wont be left with the option to engage in crime

Besides banning Okada is pure hardship for Lagosians(heavy traffic,atimes and the fastest means of transportation is motorbike).

The best option in my opinion will be to create designated lanes for motorbikes

Am all for ban of Okada. So many people are now lazy cos of quick bucks. Okada riding makes young men not to seek skills.

stevo531: [size=18pt]SURE, OKADA BAN WON'T DO MUCH TO RESTORE SANITY TO THE ROAD TRANSPORTATION,BUT THEN, IF IT STILL HAS TO BE IN USE, THEY HAVE TO OPERATE IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER, TAKING CUE FROM TAXI COMPANIES. THAT WON'T BE A BAD IDEA, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP TABS ON EACH AND EVERY OF THEM, MAKING THEM TRACEABLE IF THEY TURN OUT AS DEFAULTERS. ANOTHER POSITIVE TURN OUT FROM THIS, BEING ABLE TO CALL FOR AN AVAILABLE OKADA WHEN THE NEED ARISES, JUST LIKE THE TAXIS. SURELY, THIS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY MANY.[/size]

Nice idea but the authorities haven't had much success trying control and organize bus and taxi operators; this means trying to organize okadas would be near impossible because it doesn't take much to start an okada business. Besides the adoption of okadas as a means of transportation is a clear indication of the government failing in its responsibilities.Instead of trying so hard to organize and get them off the road, why won't they rather invest in infrastructure and make the okada business and patronage unappealing.

Mannylex:
Noise maker

[size=15pt]MANNERLESS MANNYLEX[/size]

Immune#1:

Nice idea but the authorities haven't had much success trying control and organize bus and taxi operators; this means trying to organize okadas would be near impossible because it doesn't take much to start an okada business. Besides the adoption of okadas as a means of transportation is a clear indication of the government failing in its responsibilities.Instead of trying so hard to organize and get them off the road, why won't they rather invest in infrastructure and make the okada business and patronage unappealing.

[size=15pt]GOOD POINT DAWG, BUT THIS NATION IS NEVER SUCCESSFUL IN ANY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS. THEY'RE ALL JUST GOOD AT MAKING UP IDEAS[/size]

Awka still remains the only eastern capital that permits okada...I guess peter obi knows its usefulness.

@topic.

Lagosians ndo, you guys should learn how to treek...because most of you can't afford his highly expensive cabs, and its obvious that the keke nappe which he (fashola) recomended isn't going to be enough, considering the billions of people that live in that tiny island.

Anyway happy trekking

Billyonaire: Am all for ban of Okada. So many people are now lazy cos of quick bucks. Okada riding makes young men not to seek skills.

I wish I know where you reside so that the okada riders in your area can deal with you decisively. Everybody knows that okada on our roads is a cause-effect of so many factors (bad roads, unemployment,bad economy etc) and rather than for you to advice Govt on way forward you choose to insult us that we are un-willing to seek skills! Pls kindly note that many people who ride okada are far intelligent and smarter than you

Billyonaire: Am all for ban of Okada. So many people are now lazy cos of quick bucks. Okada riding makes young men not to seek skills.

I hope the governor will not relent in the sanity operation. There is need to start setting things straight. Doing things right in the society will take Lagos city there!

TEXZLEM:
I wish I know where you reside so that the okada riders in your area can deal with you decisively. Everybody knows that okada on our roads is a cause-effect of so many factors (bad roads, unemployment,bad economy etc) and rather than for you to advice Govt on way forward you choose to insult us that we are un-willing to seek skills! Pls kindly note that many people who ride okada are far intelligent and smarter than you

I have to agree with your replay

TEXZLEM:

I wish I know where you reside so that the okada riders in your area can deal with you decisively. Everybody knows that okada on our roads is a cause-effect of so many factors (bad roads, unemployment,bad economy etc) and rather than for you to advice Govt on way forward you choose to insult us that we are un-willing to seek skills! Pls kindly note that many people who ride okada are far intelligent and smarter than you

I live at Lekki, little rabbit. You can come, and please come with your Okada so by mallam can burn it and send the dog after you. Let me guess, you are one of those guys always sweating on top of Okada clinging on to life when I speed past with a near brush stunt. Okada riding is anti-skills. Young men need to learn skills and not turning this country to chinese dumping ground.

meksroland: Fashola is now drinking kain kain. We wake up everyday and all we see is new method without notice in advance. I saw hell today in the afternoon that I have to trek like a cow

You are so funny.

siddiq202:
I have to agree with your replay

Why wouldnt you agree. Birds of the same feather, I can bet with my latest auto acquisition that you have never traveled out of Nigeria since you were born, you would have known that Okada is not a norm.

Okadas are death traps...many have lost their lives to them.
I totally support the scrapping of Okadas in Lagos. Other alternatives will surely spring up. Afterall, we were surviving before Okadas were introduced.

Has skada been banned in Lagos?

Billyonaire: Why wouldnt you agree. Birds of the same feather, I can bet with my latest auto acquisition that you have never traveled out of Nigeria since you were born, you would have known that Okada is not a norm.

MOST TIMES I AGREE WITH YOU BUT I TOTALLY DISAGREE ON THIS, TRAVELING OUT OF NIGERIA DOES NOT MAKE ONE INTELLIGENT OR BETTER THAN OTHERS,FROM YOUR COMMENTS HERE I KNOW UR WELL TO DO, BUT NEVER YOU FORGET THAT 70% OF NIGERIANS LIVE BELOW POVERTY CIRCLE, PLEASE ENCOURAGE THEM RATHER THAN BELITTLE THEM, IT WILL MAKE MORE PEOPLE RESPECT YOU.

Poster you may have a point but this is what Lagosians feel about the Ban Of Okada from the state.

https://www.nairaland.com/996472/should-lagos-govt-ban-okada

Billyonaire: Am all for ban of Okada. So many people are now lazy cos of quick bucks. Okada riding makes young men not to seek skills.

rubbish

omiobo: Wow! I feel so good to comment again

hello,r u alrit?
Cos u sound lk u were typing 4rm d toilet