Are Okadas now banned in Lagos state?
NaijaRock
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Posted by Felix Okoli on October 22, 2012 at 07:55:45:
Although the only thing I know about the new Lagos state traffic law concerning Okadas(Commercial motorcyclists) is that there is a law restricting them from doing their business on major roads in the cities but it seems as if there is already a ban on them entirely. For a few weeks now, okada drivers have been going scarce and you no longer see them at their parks or popular places where they can be seen. Some Okada riders have complained of mobile policemen targeting them and arresting their vehicles and that even some had been destroyed. So there seems to be an onslaught against Commercial motorcycle drivers in Lagos state as they are not longer readily available as before. Just a few weeks ago, we could see them almost everywhere and on almost every street. I mean, Okadas are part of what makes life easier for people in Lagos and with this new ban, or unofficial ban, it may only make life harder for the masses who have become used to riding Okadas. Okadas are commonly used for short distances within cities and where buses hardly pass through. Okadas help people keep appointment at their work place or even catch the early morning BRT. Okadas help people to meet the 4pm deadline at the banks. They have become such a useful asset to our growing urban lifestlye in Lagos that it has become almost impossible to live effectively in Lagos without them. Okadas just take you wherever you want to go and at the right time too.
There are a couple of reasons why people prefer using Okadas in Lagos such as no waiting time, no overcrowding, no go slow or hold up in traffic and so on. It so happens now that with the mass emigration of Okada drivers out of Lagos perhaps due to the harsh nature of the new Lagos traffic law, Lagosians may find life a little harder and these are especially people who don't drive their cars yet and would now have to stick with commercial buses(Danfos) and Kekes(Tricycles). If Okadas become totally extinct in Lagos state, I wonder how a lot of people would now cope having to live without what they have long become used to.
Comments:
Although the only thing I know about the new Lagos state traffic law concerning Okadas(Commercial motorcyclists) is that there is a law restricting them from doing their business on major roads in the cities but it seems as if there is already a ban on them entirely. For a few weeks now, okada drivers have been going scarce and you no longer see them at their parks or popular places where they can be seen. Some Okada riders have complained of mobile policemen targeting them and arresting their vehicles and that even some had been destroyed. So there seems to be an onslaught against Commercial motorcycle drivers in Lagos state as they are not longer readily available as before. Just a few weeks ago, we could see them almost everywhere and on almost every street. I mean, Okadas are part of what makes life easier for people in Lagos and with this new ban, or unofficial ban, it may only make life harder for the masses who have become used to riding Okadas. Okadas are commonly used for short distances within cities and where buses hardly pass through. Okadas help people keep appointment at their work place or even catch the early morning BRT. Okadas help people to meet the 4pm deadline at the banks. They have become such a useful asset to our growing urban lifestlye in Lagos that it has become almost impossible to live effectively in Lagos without them. Okadas just take you wherever you want to go and at the right time too.
There are a couple of reasons why people prefer using Okadas in Lagos such as no waiting time, no overcrowding, no go slow or hold up in traffic and so on. It so happens now that with the mass emigration of Okada drivers out of Lagos perhaps due to the harsh nature of the new Lagos traffic law, Lagosians may find life a little harder and these are especially people who don't drive their cars yet and would now have to stick with commercial buses(Danfos) and Kekes(Tricycles). If Okadas become totally extinct in Lagos state, I wonder how a lot of people would now cope having to live without what they have long become used to.
Comments:
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Re: Are Okadas now banned in Lagos state?
Posted by David
on Friday October 26, 2012 at 6:13:12:
Okadas are a big problem in Lagos. Apart from causing traffic problems, they also are responsible for the high rate of crime