Transportation Situation in Lagos (Okada Ban) Ft Tobore & Itunu

On the 18TH of May, 2022, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the total ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles/ bikes popularly known as Okada in six Local governments and nine local council areas in the state.

The ban covers Eti Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa, it also includes the city’s trunk roads and flyover bridges.

The enforcement of the ban wasn’t effective till Wednesday, June 1, 2022, two weeks after the announcement.

Previous administrations in the state had on several occasions announced the ban on motorcycles only for the riders to return to the Lagos roads.

Notable reasons for the recent ban were the disregard for the law by the riders which resulted in the killing and setting ablaze of David Imoh in Lekki Phase 1 and also killed Superintendent of Police, CSP, Kazeem Abonde, in Ajao Estate on September 24, 2021, during an enforcement activity. Okada riders were also accused of riding against traffic.

Tobore and Itunu were on Unilag FM for Dreamcity to discuss the impacts of the Okada ban on riders, passengers, the government, and even the environment.

During the show, they raised concern about the ban affecting members of the society who had been rendered jobless as Okada riding was a means of their livelihood and their families. The government has failed to provide succor.

Riders and passengers both bear the brunt of the ban because the Okada business has over time thrived because of the poverty level, bad roads, and the need to beat traffic in the reality of daily traffic.

From observations, the roads have been quite free and secured since the enforcement began, however, there were reports that the security agencies are acting overzealously by extending enforcement to areas not mentioned by the government and extorting in the process.

While there is still a need for more security in the state and the country at large, residents were urged to ensure their safety, and avoid taking Okada for transport as riders and passengers will be prosecuted.