Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to urgently design a new business plan that would engage commercial motorcycle operators popularly called Okada riders who were recently restricted from plying 475 roads in the state.

Fashola made the appeal at the weekend at celebration of the 2012 Lagos State day and the closing ceremony of the 2012 Lagos State Trade Fair and Exhibition held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, (TBS), Lagos.

Fashola said that this is the only way the chamber can partner with the state government on the new road traffic law signed into law on August 2nd in the state.

According to the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, “The reason why we seek the partnership of LCCI is that the present administration in Lagos State knows the importance of the chamber as the umbrella body for business in the country, especially Lagos state.”

“And because of this, LCCI is one body that is in a better position to help the state government in developing a sustainable business plan that would accommodate all the okada operators who by virtue of the new law may not be able to engage in the business again.

“We need a sustainable business plan for these residents of the state. This is because okada is not a sustainable means of transportation for any state, especially Lagos State, which has a megacity status.”

“Before the restriction of okada in the state, the number of orphans, widows and widowers was increasing daily, and hospitals in the state were being congested with victims of okada accidents.

The governor emphasised that since the restriction, the state has recorded a drastic reduction in the number of accidents and crime across the state.

“The state government is ready to partner with the chamber to come up with the right business strategy plan for these operators,” he added that the state government’s doors are always open for the plan from the LCCI.

Fashola assured residents of the state that the government will always be responsive government that would ensure that a new business strategy is designed for them.

On the choice of the venue, the governor assured business operators that after the completion of the ongoing Lekki Free Trade Zone, the state would be moving every trade fair and exhibition to that axis of the state, saying “It would serve as a permanent site for trade fair and exhibition in the state for both local and international business organisation.”

logo77: Our leaders !

They like putting the cart b-4 the horse......Always.

He should have thought of this before sacking the okada riders off the road. :

They like putting the cart b-4 the horse.

He should have thought of this before sacking the okada riders off the road.

logo77: Our leaders !

They like putting the cart b-4 the horse......Always.

He should have thought of this before sacking the okada riders off the road. :

They like putting the cart b-4 the horse.

He should have thought of this before sacking the okada riders off the road.

fatdon2: No mind the mumu gov.

GARRI (x7):

The Ban is in order......

ochukoccna:
Free the guy jo!
At least the man is looking for how to help out the okada riders even if he put the cart before the horse
Like GARRI(x7) said, , In this days of BH, visualize what those aboki riders can do if they pledge allegiance to terrorism

ochukoccna:
Free the guy jo!
At least the man is looking for how to help out the okada riders even if he put the cart before the horse
Like GARRI(x7) said, , In this days of BH, visualize what those aboki riders can do if they pledge allegiance to terrorism

afam4eva: This is a case of putting the cart before the horse. Shouldn't he have done this before banning okadas? Sorry Fashola but some bike men have already bought the guns that they will use to start their new business.

logo77: Our leaders !

They like putting the cart b-4 the horse......Always.

He should have thought of this before sacking the okada riders off the road. :

They like putting the cart b-4 the horse.

He should have thought of this before sacking the okada riders off the road.

olivertwist:

** ** ** **

What about the Okada riders that are in hospitals with both their legs & arms amputated? Wont you advice them to get a gun as well? According to your thinking, all sacked bankers, civil servants,engineers etc & unemployed graduates should get a gun coz they were sacked or unemployed. Is that what you will do if you lose your job i.e get a gun? Anyway, the NPF are waiting for all of you.

Biggoozz:

That may be true, but considering the rumor that Boko Haram was already buying bykes and sending their members as spies to survey the state, the "Cart-before-the-horse" decision could be laudable.

ochallo:


you are totally clueless, if you live in lagos, you would know that there is an increase in crime rates since the ban , and when the masses are unemployed, illegal/ fradulent businesses thrive, that is the meaning of " getting a gun".

kingingkinging:

I get marvelled at times when some of our people contribute to some issues. Are you people saying Gov Fashola should have allowed Lagos to become a dumping ground for the Okada riders from Cross river, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Abuja, etc before he acts.He should be watching as some people were following cows to Lagos with their bikes never to return again, all int the name of creating jobs for Nigerians?
So, all the people who lost their jobs over their, have they become criminals now? The last time I checked, Mr Fashola is not the president of Nigeria and it is apparent is the class governor for all the gov in terms of innovations.
Leave this man. Eko o ni baje oo.

olivertwist: What Gov. Fashola has done is to separate the horse from the cart in order to save the horse. If not for Fashola's decision, btw August & now, thousands of children would have become orphans, some would have lost their husbands,wives,bread-winners etc. These decision is about Life & Death not business as usual.

kingingkinging:

I get marvelled at times when some of our people contribute to some issues. Are you people saying Gov Fashola should have allowed Lagos to become a dumping ground for the Okada riders from Cross river, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Abuja, etc before he acts.He should be watching as some people were following cows to Lagos with their bikes never to return again, all int the name of creating jobs for Nigerians?
So, all the people who lost their jobs over their, have they become criminals now? The last time I checked, Mr Fashola is not the president of Nigeria and it is apparent is the class governor for all the gov in terms of innovations.
Leave this man. Eko o ni baje oo.

ochallo:


you are totally clueless, if you live in lagos, you would know that there is an increase in crime rates since the ban , and when the masses are unemployed, illegal/ fradulent businesses thrive, that is the meaning of " getting a gun".