Panic as Lagos begins enforcement of ‘okada, keke’ ban

After more than a month of consultations, dilly-dallying and pressure on the proposed ban of the operation of commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) on some roads in Lagos State, the state government finally, on Monday, announced the plan to begin enforcement of the ban from February 1, 2020. The announcement has, however, been generating […]

After more than a month of consultations, dilly-dallying and pressure on the proposed ban of the operation of commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) on some roads in Lagos State, the state government finally, on Monday, announced the plan to begin enforcement of the ban from February 1, 2020.

The announcement has, however, been generating panic and apprehension among commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, as well as among commuters, thousands of who rely on these modes of transportation to move about easily in the state, especially in the metropolis which has a notoriety for gridlock and commuters in buses and cars can get stuck in traffic for several hours.

While many of the operators expressed worry about being compelled to relocate to low density areas not covered by the ban to operate but which they considered non-lucrative, there was one who appeared unperturbed. “There is nothing the government can do. This ban noise has been on since the administration of Fashola. But are we still not operating till now?” a commercial motorcycle rider, who gave his name as Musa from Katsina State, told our correspondent whom he had borne from the Allen Roundabout to Acme Road on his motorcycle.

Indeed, for many observers, there is nothing unusual with what the state government had done other than to revive the existing 2012 State Traffic Law which prohibits the operation of ‘okada’ and ‘Keke’ on major highways in the state.

The previous administrations in the state, especially those of Babatunde Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, had announced similar bans, to no success. Government has always relaxed its enforcement drive, with the riders becoming more emboldened to ply the restricted routes.

Proliferation of the motorcycles on major highways and bridges has even become more pronounced with the advent of online ride-hailing companies like Gokada, O’Pay and Max.ng. Operators of such companies insisted they have been registered to run their businesses unrestricted, though the government said no. When, in 2018, our correspondent enquired from the state government whether the ride hailing firms were licensed to operate on major highways where the regular ‘okadas’ were originally prohibited, the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Dr Taiwo Salaam, said no.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, maintained that position on Monday when asked while announcing the ban whether the ride-hailing bikes would be affected by the ban, implying that hundreds of O’pay, Gokada and Max bikes plying Lagos highways would soon vanish.

Omotosho reiterated the same stance yesterday in a television interview, saying ride-hailing companies were not licensed.

Some Gokada operators who spoke with Eko Trust declared that the government cannot ban ride-hailing firms, pleading that unlike the run-of-the-mill commercial motorcycle operators, online ride-hailing commercial motorcyclists abide by global standard in their business.

Mr Ifeanyi Nwaguru, an indigene of Abia State running a Gokada motorcycle on Lagos roads, said the government should have a rethink on the ban, adding that the riders had spent huge amounts of money registering the bikes.

Nwaguru said, “Let them give us a clear reason why they should ban us. We have always maintained law and order.  We are following the rule. If you go abroad to other advanced countries, they are using these branded bikes. They told us here to use the 200-capacity engine bike and we have complied.”

Also, Michael Esu, who operates an O’pay motorcycle, said Lagos might be shut down without registered commercial motorcyclists. “Lagos is no longer Lagos without the bikes. Government should think twice on this to keep the mega city status,” he said.

Omotosho stressed that the sanctity of lives remained a great concern of the state government, adding it had become necessary to protect lives and property as accidents linked to ‘okadas’ were increasing at an alarming rate.

The Information Commissioner described the rate of accidents caused by commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders as “scary”.

He said, “From 2016 to 2019, there were over 10,000 accidents recorded at the General Hospitals alone. This number excludes unreported cases and those recorded by other hospitals. The total number of deaths from reported cases is over 600 as at date. Also, the rate of crimes aided by okada and keke keeps rising. These vehicles are also used as get-away means by criminals.

“For instance, figures obtained from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASMA) indicated that accidents from tricycles and okada have been on the increase in recent times. In 2019 alone, there were 284 accidents involving tricycles with 22 fatalities. The figure increased by 19 from 265 recorded in the previous year 2018. In fact, 2018 saw a boom in tricycle accidents increasing from 105 accidents recorded in 2017, 88 in 2016 and 63 in 2015.

“Also a monthly analysis of motorcycle accidents in public health facilities showed that there were 3,450 cases reported in 2018, from 2849 in 2017 and 3,082 in 2016.”

Omotosho said that after consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, “has decided to commence enforcement of the law, which bans the operation of okada and keke, in six Local Government Areas and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

The affected LGAs and LCDAs are: Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA.

Others are Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo, LCDA, Ojodu LCDA, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, and Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

The operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles has been restricted on 10 highways and 40 bridges.

The highways are Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Oworonshoki-Oshodi expressway, Lagos-Ikorodu expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos-Badagry expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road.

The bridges include Iyana-Ipaja bridge, Dopemu bridge, Airport/Ikeja bridge, Agege Motor Road/Oshodi Loop, Mushin/Isolo link bridge, Dorman Long bridge, Ojuelegba bridge, National Stadium flyover, Apapa-Iganmu bridge, Apapa-Ijora link bridge, Liverpool bridge and Apapa-Mile 2 bridge loop, Amuwo-Odofin.

Others are the Okota (Cele)/Ijesha link bridge, Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi bridge network, Ikorodu Road/Anthony clover leaf bridge, Trade Fair flyover, Festac/Amuwo-Odofin link bridge, two flyovers along the Alhaji Masha Road, Ojota clover leaf bridge, Ogudu bridge, 3rd Mainland bridge, Maryland flyover, Ikeja General Hospital flyover, Kodesoh bridge, Oba Akran flyover, Opebi link bridge, Sheraton-Opebi bridge, Jibowu/Yaba flyover bridge and Carter bridge, Lagos

Residents in the state expressed mixed feelings on the decision. While some people commended the state government for the move, others argued that it would have serious adverse effects on employment. Many wondered how they would be getting to their destinations conveniently the way ‘okada’ and ‘keke’ had been serving them.

A commentator, Adepoju Tobi Samuel, stated, “The state government should not ban okada and keke. Rather, they should set out a policy to avoid accidents. A lot of people, our family members, including graduates, survive working this rough and tough job. This decision will kill O’pay, Gokada and similar businesses.”

A financial institution worker and resident of Peace Estate, Sangotedo, on the Ajah-Epe road, Mr Mohammed Alao, said government should have considered the plight of workers who don’t have their own vehicles before formulating such a policy.

“For instance, in my area once it is around 1pm, you will hardly find any keke that will convey you from here to Ajah where you can connect to the Lagos mainland. How do they want us to cope?” Alao said.

The government seemed unfazed. “This is not about emotion. Should okada be a mode of transportation in our city?” the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, asked.

Ahead of the February 1 date for the commencement of the ban enforcement, many people residing in Lagos are anxious of how the ban will affect them in the long run.