By Augustine Akhilomen
Since the total ban on Okada riders in some major roads in Lagos on May 18, 2022, by the current administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, it does appear that the enforcement has taken a slow pace as many of the Okada riders are seen plying some of the key areas tagged as no-go-areas.
From Oshodi, Ikeja, Surulere, Mile 2, Mile 12, Apapa, Ojuelegba, Airport road, Berger, Lawanson, Okota, Magodo, Agege and many other areas which the governor has directed the police and special task force to ensure total compliance, but it all seem to have changed, as these commercial riders have become more embolden, creating chaos and insecurity on the roads.
It would be recalled that the ban on okada riders goes back to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who in the year of his exit as governor decided to give Lagosian a parting gift by banning Okada riders in 2007.
Tinubu’s immediate successor, Babatunde Fashola also announced an Okada ban in March 2012. After Fashola, it was the turn of Akinwunmi Ambode’s government to ban Okada riders in 2017.
Even the current ban is Sanwo-Olu’s second attempt in less than four years his administration has spent in an attempt to put a stop to the menace caused by these riders. The incumbent governor announced the first ban in February 2020. Lagosians are now asking, ‘what has changed’? Is there enough ‘will’ to implement this intractable issue, or the government has become helpless in enforcing its own laws?
Besides accidents, fatalities and armed robbery cases, security issues are some the top reasons frequently given by the government for the banning of Okada operations in the state
However, many observers believed that banning okada riders from major roads has been a huge challenge for successive governors in the state because of its popularity and patronage by Lagosians to navigate tight corners.
Again, Okada riders, according to most residents, are so popular with many Lagosians because of the poor road infrastructure and the lack of a multi-modal transport system in the state.
Many roads across the state are in very bad shape and the government’s inability to tackle flooding also means that during the rainy seasons, commercial buses are, in the main, unavailable in most areas, hence, Lagosians have to rely on Okada riders to get to their respective destinations.
Government seriousness and commitment in tackling these issues and enforcing the laws will be a major step toward achieving a long-lasting solution to the Okada riders’ menace.
Early this year, precisely January 2025, the Lagos State Government launched a campaign targeting motorcycles, popularly known as okada, operating on restricted routes within the state.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stated that “the campaign aims to unequivocally halt motorcycle operations in specified restricted zones, ensuring public safety and optimizing the city’s transportation network.”
But then that has not stopped some okada riders from plying some of the restricted routes by the Lagos govt.
They have indeed, become the lord of the roads and oftentimes, pay their way out to avoid any form of arrest or harassment by security operatives.
Reacting to this development, a public affairs commentator, Dr Akinyemi Salami told Thepledge that the ban on okada riders failed due to the government’s inability to maintain total enforcement.
“What do you expect from Okada riders when the government has failed to stand its ground on orders issued to them?
“This is not the first time that such will be occurring in the state because other previous governors have made efforts to ban okada.
“The Lagos state government’s failure to carefully analyze the progress made by the enforcement is one of the reasons why Okada riders will never take them seriously.”
In the same vein, an environmentalist Durotayo Olamide told Thepledge that poor follow-up on the part of the government has paved the way for Okoda riders to sneak their way back in the major roads across the state.
“Although the Lagos State government has done enough to impose a ban on Okada riders, they have not effectively carried out their responsibility.
“The compliance in the last year has been poor and that will be down to those saddled with the responsibility.”
Others are also of the view that the government should employ more hands to make the enforcement more effective. “Lagos is a mega-city, we cannot afford to have a transportation system powered by tricycle and okada riders. That should not be acceptable in this modern time”, says Abdulateef Abiodun, a cab driver.
With just a year and a half left before the completion of Sanwo-olu’s tenure, the question on the lips of many observers is whether there will ever be a total ban that Okada riders will comply with honourably or if the government will have the will and machinery to enforce this ban on okada that has become a stain on the image of the state. Only time will tell!
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