The Lagos State government may soon ban commercial motorcycle operators, also known as okada riders, in the state and restrict them to rural areas following their alleged involvement in armed robbery attacks and other vices.

The 32-member committee set up by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to look into the menace posed by okada riders in the state has passed a vote of no confidence on them.

The committee submitted its report yesterday and came out with a damning report on okada riding, saying that its disadvantages far outweigh its advantages.

The Chairman of the Committee, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Olusegun Kazeem, was about to read the full recommendation of the committee to the governor and others present when Fashola passed a note to him to stop.

Kazeem noted that while a recommendation for an outright ban of operators in the state seemed to be the best bet to address the menace posed by operators, the challenges of transportation the development would pose in some parts of the state was to be taken into consideration.

The chairman, who did not read the committee’s recommendation, has given signal that okada riding might be ban outrightly from the city and restricted to rural areas where there are transportation difficulties.

He stated that research had shown that the vibration caused while riding on okada could lead to impotence in men and that the helmet worn by several people was a source of spreading diseases and had serious health implication.

According to the chairman, “Economically, okada has become a lucrative business for its operators who have in turn become very reckless and impossible to control with flagrant disregard for law and order.”

He said the committee also discovered that undue influence and interference was always brought on law enforcement agents by some influential people, thus thwarting attempts to enforce the law.

Kazeem stated that because the majority of the commercial motorcycle operators were migrants from other states who have no accommodation or shelter before coming to Lagos State, they have constituted nuisance in several neighbourhoods.

He said that the operations of the commercial motorcyclists had security and health implications, adding that 17 out of every 20 robbery cases are carried out by commercial motorcyclists.

“Between January and November 2011, 492 robberies were committed by commercial motorcyclists while in the month of November alone, 79 armed robbery cases by okada operators were reported.”

The chairman disclosed that 1,908 commercial motorcycles were apprehended in October for traffic violations while in October and November 179 cases of accidents were recorded at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja with 170 of them being passengers on okada.

He said records at the Accidents and Emergency Centre at the Lagos Ibadan Toll gate showed a total of 41 cases of Okada accidents between the same period while in the 20 General Hospitals across the state 1,039 accidents cases involved okada riders.

He explained that the engines of the commercial motorcycles are a source of noise and air pollution which is also contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer, stressing that there is a need to embark on quick action to reduce the pollution level.

Kazeem said the committee was convinced that the disadvantages of the operation of the commercial motorcyclists far outweighs the advantages since the injuries and crimes associated with its operation could not be compensated for.

“The incalculable cost of loss of lives, injuries and crimes cannot in any way be compensated by its economic benefits. It is the contention that the government must be ready to forgo the revenue accruing from issuing licenses and riders’ cards to operators in order to seriously confront the menace of motorcycle operators,” he stated.

Receiving the report, Fashola said the State Executive Council would deliberate on it and implement the recommendations of the committee, while appealing to residents to be vigilant, watchful and to report all suspicious movements to the security agencies.

“It is very essential that in terms of vigilance, we must increase our power of observation. We must be able to say details like complexion of a particular person, his height, shape and other characteristics.

“Members of the Neighbourhood Watch must remain vigilant to notice and report unusual happenings and occurrences in the various communities which may signpost major problems,” Governor Fashola advised, adding that his administration would do its best to ensure that law abiding people in the state go about their businesses without any form of molestation.

Provide a good alternative.

He should provide Tricycles

A good alternative is welcome.

I totally support with my hands, leg, mouth, teeth and KOKO! na wetin!!!!, the other day my aboki just sent for his brother from the North, the guy couldn't speak one single Pigin english, Two days later, saw the guy learning how to drive okada! next day, saw him carrying passengers. Had to ask him when he learnt how to drive okada and he goes, Since, using hand language!!!

Another attempt to suffer the poor the most, Nigeria we just wake up and do things without considering the effect on the masses Lagos of all People, dividend of 2nd term agenda mschew

it should be in some area not total ban.

maxtum:

I totally support with my hands, leg, mouth, teeth and KOKO! na wetin!!!!, the other day my aboki just sent for his brother from the North, the guy couldn't speak one single Pigin english, Two days later, saw the guy learning how to drive okada! next day, saw him carrying passengers. Had to ask him when he learnt how to drive okada and he goes, Since, using hand language!!!

What do u think will happen to all abokis in Lagos who ride Okada? They will be out of jobs therefore Boko Haram will have more recruits.

ayusman16:

What do u think will happen to all abokis in Lagos who ride Okada? They will be out of jobs therefore Boko Haram will have more recruits.

Lagos Annex.

I am in total support of this. Ban it from the city, and leave it in place in rural areas.

Yes.

I also think it's a brave attempt by the state govt to cut down on all the excessive migration to the state. Those who are made unemployed by this ban, should either find some legal means of employment, or relocate back to where they came from. The govt also needs to step up its policing and security efforts, as some of thise made umemployed will try to constitute themselves into a nuisance.

I dont support it one bit.

When you ban okada because a few people use it to carry out robbery, can u cope with the surge in armed robbery that will result from it when boys are rendered "jobless"?

I do!

jarkbauer:


He stated that research had shown that the vibration caused while riding on okada could lead to impotence in men and that the helmet worn by several people was a source of spreading diseases and had serious health implication.

I hate it when public officials make rètarded statements like this. What studies have found a link between motorcycle riding and impotence? Other than one weak study that doesn't really apply to okadas, I'm not aware of any, and neither is google. Also what diseases are spread by helmets? Even headlice don't spread that way.

According to the chairman, “Economically, okada has become a lucrative business for its operators who have in turn become very reckless and impossible to control with flagrant disregard for law and order.”

Okada riding is not inherently criminal. If some people are using bikes to commit crimes or disregarding traffic rules, then it is the duty of the government to enforce the law and punish lawbreakers. You can't prevent everybody from using a useful and valuable service just because of a few criminals. Otherwise you ight as well ban table knives because some people use them to stab others.

Kazeem stated that because the majority of the commercial motorcycle operators were migrants from other states who have no accommodation or shelter before coming to Lagos State, they have constituted nuisance in several neighbourhoods.

The constitution explicitly bans the government from behaving like this. Every Nigerian has the right to live and work in any part of the country. Anybody who lives in Lagos is a lagosian and has full rights regardless of where they came from.

He explained that the engines of the commercial motorcycles are a source of noise and air pollution which is also contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer, stressing that there is a need to embark on quick action to reduce the pollution level.

Bûllshît. The hole in the ozone layer was caused by CFCs (chloroflourcarbons), a group of chemicals used as coolants in old refridgerators and air conditioners. There are no CFCs in okada engines. This guy clearly didn't go to a good secondary school.

Kx:

I dont support it one bit.

When you ban okada because a few people use it to carry out robbery, can u cope with the surge in armed robbery that will result from it when boys are rendered "jobless"?

correct. when you ban it cos of robbery and cause another problem of joblessness. The truth is, that nation is insecure and they fail to see this. If you like ban vehicles and restrict movement to certain time and you ignore security, still same mess. I no support Fashola for this one o.

Any attempt to ban them will create more problems. What he should do is to re-organise the chaotic situation like they are trying to do in Jakarta
Watch this video from the link below

http://asewele-television..com/2011/12/how-organizing-jakartas-motorcycle.html?m=0

Let him ban the use of motor vehicles for transport because some people use motor vehicles to rob.

silly analogy!

He is busy fleecing and robbing Lagosians through dubious contracts and projects (Lekki Toll and inflacted contract), yet he thinks he can deceive people with some cheap propaganda. He wants to create a monopoly for LAGBUS/BRT and thereafter charge/impose ridiculously high fares on commuters.
That man called Fashola does not like anything about the poor people in Lagos, check his previous actions targeted against tehe down-troden masses in Lagos.

What alternative does he have tp provide? Or he wants to repeat what he did in Lekki when there are no viable alternatives?

ayusman16:

What do u think will happen to all abokis in Lagos who ride Okada? They will be out of jobs therefore Boko Haram will have more recruits.

That where you wrong!!! before now, was there okada?

For the second time in one month, Fasholas enemies are carrying this rumor again  

He will do no such thing!

Good move.

He stated that research had shown that the vibration caused while riding on okada could lead to impotence in men and that the helmet worn by several people was a source of spreading diseases and had serious health implication.

This govt is becoming anti-people.Recently the govt sent away many of LASU students out of school due to the hike in school fees.Now they want to take away food from the table of the jobless masses they cannot provide jobs for.What do you expect?Crime rate will be on the increase and am sure they govt has no better alternative.If they had that would have been their first agenda.They are only creating problems which they cannot proffer solution.Traffic offender should be punished and not a total ban.Now that am planning to buy a bike for a jobless guy to fend for himself and family what he do.

Many have been sent to early grave and many became physically challenged overnight, while not mentioning various Okada aided crimes. However,the issue is that Okada emerged as a result of an herculean social problem i.e traffic Jam and also a source of lively hood for hundreds of thousands. It is not as if common folks on the street are oblivous of Okada problems , but the question is "What alternative do we have ?

They should try and regulate them more by copying best practices from other developing countries that has introduced a better system.

To be replaced with Tricycle, it cannot be used to rob. Cities like Owerri, Umuahia banned okada within the metropolis, so no biggie and replaced with tricycle. But all roads should be in good condition.

If it happens in Lagos then same should happen @ Sango-ota axis cos those guys migrate to this axis to disturb us. Okada is a menace dt should be quickly dealt with. Those boys are evil.

goshen360:

correct. when you ban it cos of robbery and cause another problem of joblessness. The truth is, that nation is insecure and they fail to see this. If you like ban vehicles and restrict movement to certain time and you ignore security, still same mess. I no support Fashola for this one o.

In portharcourt, bikes where ban and heaven didnt fall. Infact, driving in d road without aboki bikes is peaceful. Come to ph and experience peace.

And two, it is nt a total ban, u can still use it outside d busy city.

A very bold move needs to be made to decongest Lagos traffic.

1. How about a new highway linking the Island to say Lagos/Ibadan expressway or Apapa Oshodi Expressway to Lagos Ibadan expressway?

2. A new highway or bridge linking the Island to Ikorodu?

3. A new highway linking Ikeja to Ikotun/Ipaja/Iyana Iba axis?

These are just a few suggestions on road option as there are still opportunities for rail and water (and further options for road).

The roads in Lagos have become too few for commuting and beggars, hawkers,truck pushers, 'danfo' drivers, ill-trained motorists, and the ever-reckless 'okada' riders are adding to the logjam.

Going by the incorrigible nature of 'okada' riders and their high rate of accidents, nuisance, robbery,etc, I'm constrained to support the move to restrict them to the hinterlands/the outskirts or Trunk C roads; however, the government must make a BOLD move to expand the road/commuting options in Lagos (as suggested above or through other means). The ever-present traffic snarl is killing.

Am not a politician or hardened Fashola supporter, but why do so many of us always like to crucify dis man for every policy he comes up with. Sincerely, I totally support the issue of total ban on this okada issue. I know some states has ban the okada business earlier and heaven did not fall. Considering security and health issues involved, what do you expect the governor to do? Fold his hands and assume everything is ok? Moreover, is Fashola d genesis of Nigeria rate of unemployment? Imagine thousands of ppl that troops into lagos everyday just to get involved with the so call okada business with so many of them having no place to live. Finally, av always said this, Megacities are not meant for everyone. Cities like Moscow, Paris, London, Tokyo even New York are freaking xpensive to live and you just don't pack a nylon bag, hang on moving trailer and believes every existence is all about living in lagosm

Source Please, Not Rumors

I simply dont support the ban of Okada in Lagos because of the ffing reason:
*Banning of the use of Okada can lead to an subsurge in crime in the state-people who were managing them self wit 'Okada' will simply look for an alternative way of surviving from observation petty crime is d next available option.
*There are lots of dark areas on the streets of Lagos, this is one good avenue they will take advantage of, from by experience i have been robbed by a group of armed robbers from an Okada and also from a car, and the only thing common in both incidents was that the place i was accusted was dark. Moreover, the guys from the Okada could not take anything from me while those from the car were able to take my bag, wallet and some cash from me, and a police stand point was not far behind.
*I also believe it could spark up a secterian violence if an alternative is not made available because most Okada riders are Northerners especially in my area.
*How abut the many honest people who would be stranded. I know of a guy rides an Okada and has been sending himself to school. wat alternative will you make for some1 lik dat.
just to mention a few.
increasing & educating our law enforcement agence and ensuring that they do wat is right will do a lot of justice to this issue rather than baning the use of Okada in Lagos.