Okada Ban: Who Is Experiencing This Thing In Lagos Of Late?

Since the restriction on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles on the 1st of February, 2020 as promulgated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagosians of different economic and social classes have been feeling the scathing heat, although at different degrees.
Most of the low-income earners have been trekking over long distances to get to work amidst an increase in prices of bus fares. Even the ride-hailing company, Taxify has been experiencing a serious surge in prices with customers either reluctantly patronizing or shunning their services for now.

But these aren’t the strange things happening on Lagos roads that this article is about.

The traffic jams in Lagos have been doubled since the ban and the reasons are clear.

Most people have complained bitterly about the wastage of man-hours in traffic and the problem isn’t abating. Here is a decent explanation for their present predicament: several people have vehicles in Lagos State.

The issue is that due to the regular incidents of traffic gridlocks, many leave their vehicles at home and go to work by public transport.

According to the beliefs of these people, it’s cheaper to commute by public transport although it could be quite uncomfortable.

People have also cultivated the habit of using motorcycles to escape heavy traffic especially in the Victoria Island/Lekki axis of Lagos State.

With the partial ban placed on Okada and Keke Napep, most people keeping their vehicles for rare usage mostly during weekends and special social engagements have rolled them out in obedience to the doctrine of necessity.

The resultant effect is the compounding of the issue of traffic in the overpopulated city of Lagos where the public resources especially roads are severely strained and dilapidated.

The Lagos State government’s plan to release vehicles to serve as palliatives for the vacuum left behind by the Okadas and Kekes has fallen short in terms of numbers with many believing the action was only successful on paper alone.

For now, going to work everyday has become more difficult, strenuous and expensive for Lagosians.

From the look of things, people might be staying indoors more on weekends except occasions they need to attend are very important.

As Sanwo-Olu remains resolute about his decision to ban Okada and Keke, a massive protest has been planned this weekend to mount serious pressure on him.