Earlier today, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, appeared on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily show and argued that no company was ever licensed to operate motorcycle(s), popularly known as Okada, as a business in the state.

This argument was in defence of the Lagos State Government’s decision to ban motorbikes in 15 local government areas, including major commercial centres.

Commenting further on this, Omotosho stated that all the government ever did was try to regulate the activities of these bike-hailing companies. This was in a bid to control some of the excesses associated with their operations.

“You are talking about registration; as far as I am concern, the government has not registered any company to come and be running Okada. In fact, what the government was trying to look at is how to regulate these people so that their excesses can be curtailed.

“But as far as I know, nobody has been licensed to go and start running Okada because it is unfortunate that… the rate at which people are dying; the rate at which people are being robbed on the roads; the police are worried, everybody is worried.”

The commissioner also disclosed why the decision was taken to ban motorcycles in some parts of the state. According to him, there was an urgent need to do something about the number of accidents caused by motorbikes.

He reeled out stats from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) about how 104, 000 accidents in the state involved poor people, most of whom he claimed use motorbikes as means of transportation. He also stated that many of these so-called poor people are in favour of the government banning motorbikes.

Standard chartered
He, however, noted that the ban will not affect those using motorbikes to offer courier services. This is because they do not carry human beings. But there are recommended bikes that must be used for delivery services.

“They have to be above 200cc and you have to have a box behind you that you are doing courier service and you don’t have to carry passengers; you have to be well-kitted and wear your helmet,” he added.

https://nairametrics.com/2020/01/28/lagos-state-says-it-did-not-license-anybody-to-operate-motorbike-business/

Leave Opay alone..they are not reckless

I pity for Opay. Please always considered the future before investing your hard earned money in any venture

Then, who licensed them

This action by the LSG won't be easy on the Lagosians who don't have cars.

We can't call it a bad decision however I do not like the method.

Which alternative has the Lagos State government provided?

They should provide practical alternatives.

hisexcellency34:
Leave Opay alone..they are not reckless

Says who?
They are now recklessly reckless sef. The last two ride I booked in december, mu heart was in my throat waiting to pop out of my mouth and their customer care service is wack. One of their bikers even fell a yam seller wares placed in a wheelbarrow last Saturday at egbada, and he never tried to help, when people called his attention to it, he said shey na Der be him shop, and he went away.

mrsage:
We can't call it a bad decision however I do not like the method.

Which alternative has the Lagos State government provided?

They should provide practical alternatives.

They dont owe anybody an alternative. You should be asking yourself, now that okada and napep is banned, what alternative do you have for yourself?

BabaRamota1980:


They dont owe anybody an alternative. You should be asking yourself, now that okada and napep is banned, what alternative do you have for yourself?

Government officials earn a salary from the taxes you pay from your hard labour and you say they do not owe you an alternative.

Let's get things clear.
I'm not in love with okoada and Kekes. They also have their faults.

However the government approach is wrong.

First they should consider the social consequences of this so called "restriction".

These bikes and Kekes are a business, Micro Finance banks (who pay taxes to government and employ Lagosians ) have invested heavily in this mode of transportation. How do we expect them to recover?

If the government decides to ban, why can't they give the operators some time. 6-8 months notice is not a bad idea.

Then every party involved will have time to plan an exit strategy.


If you take away a mans means of livelihood how do you expect him to survive?

Governor Sanwo Olu just made an attempt to solve a problem, however he has created bigger problems.

Can't wait.

Lagos state Govt Dey Bleep up. Under the leadership of Sanwo. I drove pass okoko last week and was surprised to see aboki hunts at the middle of the road. The worst of it all is a mechanic workshop also on the road

Masterpiece77:
Lagos metropolis don't really need motorcycle as means of transportation. The kind accidents these guys cause on Lagos roads no be here o.

Kindly contact me via call/whatsapp for your quality sneakers and leather shoe.

nobody go contact you for badmouthing another person business.

Just imagine if those affected voted and campaigned for that sanwo olu....


Just imagine

Hmmm who do we believe

mrsage:


Government officials earn a salary from the taxes you pay from your hard labour and you say they do not owe you an alternative.

Government does not owe you job in return for your tax.

Amnesty rewards is not our way of life in Yorubaland.

Govt does not owe you job, and you had better not go into crime if you know whats good for you.

Relocate to other states where you can earn money with your okada.

mrsage:
Let's get things clear.
I'm not in love with okoada and Kekes. They also have their faults.

However the government approach is wrong.

First they should consider the social consequences of this so called "restriction".

These bikes and Kekes are a business, Micro Finance banks (who pay taxes to government and employ Lagosians ) have invested heavily in this mode of transportation. How do we expect them to recover?

If the government decides to ban, why can't they give the operators some time. 6-8 months notice is not a bad idea.

Then every party involved will have time to plan an exit strategy.


If you take away a mans means of livelihood how do you expect him to survive?

Mr man, na for only Lagos dem fit earn livelihood?

Transportation sells like hot cake, they should relocate to other states.

mrsage:
Let's get things clear.
I'm not in love with okoada and Kekes. They also have their faults.

However the government approach is wrong.

First they should consider the social consequences of this so called "restriction".

These bikes and Kekes are a business, Micro Finance banks (who pay taxes to government and employ Lagosians ) have invested heavily in this mode of transportation. How do we expect them to recover?

If the government decides to ban, why can't they give the operators some time. 6-8 months notice is not a bad idea.

Then every party involved will have time to plan an exit strategy.


If you take away a mans means of livelihood how do you expect him to survive?

your argument is a fraud....

do you have any prove that this keke people pay tax too or you just assumin....??
people that are not even registered....??

Does it mean Gokada and Opay companies are not registered and haven't been paying taxes to Lagos state out of proceeds from the same okada business? Is it not the state's task force that forces regular okada riders to buy daily or weekly tickets? Were these same okada riders not mobilized for election campaigns? Now see denial.

Even if the state wants to phase out okada and keke, there should have been at least 6 months notice within which time the government can plan and deploy alternative transportation along affected routes while the okada operators use the time to transit to other businesses or other approved modes of transport.

That way citizens/residents are taken into consideration and not subject to unnecessary suffering. Besides when will the government ban cars and trailers for accidents and deaths?

Oride and gokada knew the law before embarking on operation

Okada has been banned since Fashola administration

tsdarkside:


your argument is a fraud....

do you have any prove that this keke people pay tax too or you just assumin....??
people that are not even registered....??

Registered or not, you can never run a transportation business in Nigeria without paying tax, it's not and can never be possible.
NURTW dey remote villages sef

BabaRamota1980:


Government does not owe you job in return for your tax.

Amnesty rewards is not our way of life in Yorubaland.

Govt does not owe you job, and you had better not go into crime if you know whats good for you.

Relocate to other states where you can earn money with your okada.

Don't get personal. Just state your point.

This is not about me. I'm not involved in Keke or Okada business.

tsdarkside:


your argument is a fraud....

do you have any prove that this keke people pay tax too or you just assumin....??
people that are not even registered....??

We all know the bike and Kekes guys do not pay taxes, but like it or not, its an economic activity.

mrsage:


We all know the bike and Kekes guys do not pay taxes, but like it or not, its an economic activity.

then we can say if they are not registered and pay tax,they cant use the roads....

you dont build a nation on pity....

Did they or did they not collect TAX from the companies without license? The answer to this question will determine the type of thunder that will fire the SME business killers in this country

Very good
!! majority of you don't know the implications of having illegal immigrants everywhere including boko haram elements in thousands in Lagos disguising as okada men., plateau state for instance banned it during Jos crisis and that was the end of the crisis because these fighters and trouble makers relocated to southwest.
the moment okada was banned in those states, they started throwing their okada into the next available trailer heading to Lagos, that is what is responsible for the high number of Chadians , Nigeriens , Senegalese and Malians you see in Lagos today, a LGA office was burnt down few weeks ago including all the sewing machines the government is using for skill empowerment programmes, that is boko haram loading.
they even burgled all the offices and stole all valuables in the broad day light .
this is a matter of security of life and security

Imagine the state of the company's employees

Unbelievable

Did you license anybody to be poor?

Mad government everywhere. People are suffering and looking for means to escape poverty you're talking rubbish.

If you had created an conducive environment will people want to do Okada work? Do people do Okada work in America?

License ko Lacksense ni

hisexcellency34:
Leave Opay alone..they are not reckless

They are the worst

Unbelievable