Some residents in Lagos state have raised concerns over the recent ban of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, in the Apapa area of Lagos state.
Odunews.com had earlier reported that the state’s governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced a total ban on the operations of Okada in six local governments.
One of the affected local governments is Apapa where the importance of Okadas cannot be overemphasised. The constant gridlock on the Apapa expressway caused by the trailers and tankers who are stationed by the roadside has made people patronise these Okada riders more. Asides from this, the road has been in a sorry state for a long time.
Some regulars on the Apapa road who spoke to OduNews expressed worry over the ban by the state’s government.
Mr Daniel, an engineer, who works in the vicinity said the ban will have grave effects on people like him whose residence is not close to their workplace in Apapa. He said, “This ban will affect a whole lot, for instance, I am an Engineer and I visit up to 4 different sites within Apapa whenever I come here, the only means I do that is through Okada. There are no vehicles that plight some of these routes.”
“With this ban on Okada, we don’t know what next to do,” he added.
Mrs Priscillia who is a bank staff in Apapa agreed that there is a need to check the excesses of the Okada riders in terms of how careless they ride, she however suggested that the government should find a lasting solution to the big vehicles being parked on the expressway.
She said, ” Sanwo-Olu has a reason to ban Okada in Lagos state. They have caused a lot of harm to people but there should be a readily available alternative for those of us in Apapa.”
“The government should find a lasting solution to the gridlock on this road so that this ban won’t be felt too much. Although many of the riders are reckless, they are our only saving grace to the excess traffic we witness on this road daily,” she added.
A cross-section of Nigerians has also taken to social media to speak on the effect of the Okada ban in theEko Apapa area of Lagos state especially.
See some reactions below:
That oyingbo/apapa road isn’t motorable from both ends at the moment . Costain/eko bridge is partially closed and we have people living in this axis that need transport solutions.
— ???? (@rilly_green) May 18, 2022
Okada ban in Lagos will not be easy to implement due to the traffic situation. This is a good move but na we go still suffer the effect.
My prayer goes out to ndi Apapa,how will they cope?
Surulere has many link roads through the streets.
— Nnanyelugo (@Okenwaokodu) May 18, 2022
I see the difficulty and impossibility in government totally banning Okada in apapa and lekki , that are very stubborn there ,most of them are abokis , mostly those bikes owned by uniform men ,
God sanwoolu will try ooo— Eluchay (@Lookman36399583) May 18, 2022
If they ban Okada in Apapa. I don’t know how people are going to survive on that route.
— Doll ????♀️with the Balls ???? (@jaey_olajuwon) May 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/Nemzolee/status/1526949045008228352
Nice move @jidesanwoolu .But banning d operations of Okada around Apapa environs don't worth it. The Ports & fuel tank farms are there ,whereby people engage their businesses. No govt transport system functioning & Mile2-Tincan-Apapa roads are under construction. Rethink, pls! https://t.co/HatIIqO9uI
— Mr. ShowDaddy (@AdedayoOlusola7) May 18, 2022
Lagos state government bans Okadas in some local government area including, wait for it ….. Apapa!!!! What this shows is our government has no idea about what or how people move about in Apapa. While laudable is this reactionary in other parts, Apapa is a miss
— Fingertrickz ???? Productions ???? (@fingertrickz) May 18, 2022
Lemme shock you, them don ban bike for Apapa reach 5 times. Last Last na the Local government chairman I still see ontop bike
— Itz M_FAT (@MutiuBello3) May 18, 2022
