It’s no more news that many Lagos residents including me have been complaining about the ban placed on commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) in 15 local government areas due to the fact that it’s a development that is easy impeding movement around the metropolis. I mean Lagos is already plagued with some of the worst traffic gridlock in the world.
Some think Governor Sanwo-Olu should reverse the ban in the meantime even though there are evidence that Okada and keke vehicles are a menace, but the abrupt ban is also not a lasting solution especially when residents have to bear the brunt. Places you can go in 5 minutes now looks like 2 hours due to traffic and the seemingly unending trekking. This also applies to the motorcycle hailing companies like Gokada, Opay, and MAX among others. Sadlym the cost of transportation fare has been hiked due to the ban
Commuters who have previously and hugely relied on the services of these vehicles like Linx and Folu have resorted to walking miles and miles to get to various destinations. To b ehonest, , I am not against the ban because at some point, okadas and kekes would definitely have to go. They are a mixture of good and bad. They ride recklessly, flouting traffic rules at will. And whenever they are apprehended by law enforcement agents, they resort to unbelievable acts of violence. For example, Okada. You don’t want to find yourself driving and an okada hits your car the next minute you see okada in troops trying to defend their member who may even be at fault.
Apart from both Okada and keke being urban nuisance, they were also rescuer of lateness. Many people have been crying out loud on social media on the ongoing ban. Why not enjoy it the state government continues to proffer solutions. Now do you salvage this situation?
- Leave your house early if you have an appointment
- See it as an opportunity to exercise
- Drink a lot of water to avoid being overly thirsty
- Listen to some music while you find yourself trekking or held up in traffic
According to the Lagos State Government, the ban is necessary because of the record that shows that since 2016 over 10,000 people have died due to accidents caused by Keke marwa and Okada. Universally, one of the major responsibilities of government is the protection of lives even universally. Understandably, the Lagos state government is performing one of its constitutional duties through the restriction order.
