Nigeria: ‘Okada’ Motorbike Taxi Ban Despite Lack of Public Transport

Okada is a local parlance for commercial motorcycle taxis in Nigeria, where public transportation is non-existent, traffic snarls up most cities and potholes mark most roads. However, the Lagos State Government has restricted the operation of these commercial bikes to certain roads.

News of this proposal has not gone down well with Okada riders, and reactions have echoed into the blogosphere.

The government hinged its action on a recent road traffic legislation edit, which states amongst other things that:

Okada in Kano, Nigeria. Image released by Andy Waite under Creative Commons (Attribution-Share Alike 3.0).

Okada in Kano, Nigeria. Image released by Andy Waite under Creative Commons (Attribution-Share Alike 3.0).

Control of Motorcycles, Tricycles: 3. (1) No person shall ride, drive or propel a cart, wheel barrow, motorcycle or tricycle on any of the routes specified in Schedule II to this Law.

SCHEDULE II

Prohibited Routes for Motorcycle and Tricycle

[Section 3]

Major Highways in Lagos

1. Lagos Ibadan Expressway

2. Apapa Oshodi Expressway

3. Oworoshoki Oshodi Expressway

4. Lagos Ikorodu Expressway

5. Lagos Abeokuta Expressway

6. Babangida Bouleverde

7. Eti-Osa Lekki Epe Expressway

8. Lagos Badagry Expressway

9. Funsho Williams Avenue

10. Agege Motor Road

11. Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road

The government has insisted that violation of the law will be punished:

The Lagos State Government has declared total war on commercial motorcycle riders also known as okada riders plying the 475 prohibited routes in the Lagos metropolis. It said police enforcement of the ban was just a tip of the iceberg of what would befall the riders still flouting government’s order that they avoid the prohibited routes.

Twitter reactions have been varied, although the majority are against the ban. The reasons are varied:

‏@sheikhofeffizy: … I personally think okadas shd b banned nationwide..Its working beautifully in Enugu..errone [everyone] will adapt

‏@rmajayi: @sheikhofeffizy Yes, Okada are dangerous. Why not introduce safety measures – Okada licenses, helmets etc?

‏@Ayourb: The way BRF [Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola] handled Lekki toll, Lasu Fee hike, Doctors strike, Tejuosho market & now Okada, he has proven to be a callous unfeeling brute.

‏@Anirvachan: Dear @tundefashola sir, when someone has a headache, would you cut off the head? Answer is to enforce law not remove okada

‏@bhadoosky: If over 1million Okada Riders are restricted/banned…what will dey do for living? Additional 1million Armed Robbers for Lasgidi peeps

‏@djbuzzle: Okada Riders & Market Women are the Major Voters in Nigeria during any Election. Banning of Okada bcos u know u're not Coming back is BAD:|

‏@NaijaCyberHack: One of d major reasons people take okada is ‘cos of traffic jam,which in most part of Lagos is caused by bad road,y not repair these roads?

‏@daSuspekt: The Worst Mistake FASHOLA ll Make Is Banning Okada and NOT Making Proper Transportation Provision. BRT nor dey go Everywhere O!

‏@umaryf: Kano state the commercial hub of okadas in Africa is not willing to ban okada why Lagos???

‏@Elsieisy: Fashola, after making me trek today ehn, God is watching u in 3D! :'( I duuno what okada pple did to him o

But not all are complaining. Some are in support of the government’s action:

‏@4eyedmonk: Okada was not banned in Lagos, but on 475 roads. Tricycles have also not been banned at all. Okada riders are to blame for their predicament

‏@dockie007: why are u all complaining about Fashola..I guess those complaining have never lost a family member to an okada accident….smh

‏@sandychic1234: With or without the ban of Okada, bad boys will still do their “thing”! #fact

‏@DTRUCE: So I heard from a very reliable source, that fashola is partnering with the chinese to build a new railway system, thus the ban on okada.

This last tweet referencing the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, got numerous retweets. In a country that worships football, the humour is not lost:

‏@desmondc03: FOOTBALL inside POLITICS: Governor Fashola who's a Manchester untd fan has rendered 80% of Chelsea fans (okada rider) jobless in Lagos.

Rather than provide alternatives to the transport problem for poor people, with the Okada restrictions the government seem to have only entrenched a growing attitude – that it does not care about public opinion.

13 comments

  • @neyo

    This govenor is heartless in all ways they will surely lose d next election

  • omo Jesu

    Up ACN,UP Fashola.The Ban on Okada riders is a brilliant decisn by BRF.Perhaps the okadas are d caus of dis new law bcuz of their reckless attitudes of driving on highways.They shud b evn gr8ful to BRF dat he didnt bann dem outrightly from all roads.We av testimonies from other states wher okada has bin band outrightly and nothing happnd.So i wonder y d case of Lagos shud b ecxptional.Destructn of govt properties&BRT wil worsen their case.This is vry unfair by d okada riders.

  • omo Jesu

    It takes sacrifice to experience growth.How do our society develop if we dnt face the reality sacrificing for a change to occure.This outright ban on okada riders has com to stay and i wnt gov brf shud ensure that compliance is 100% by empowering all Law enforcement agents properly.Do Lagosians know how many Lives av bin saved frm accidents sinc dis new trafic law on d ban of okada riders?

  • Dee

    I praise the move by the Fashola government to ban Okada’s from these Major road. There is no doubt that the fast killing machines are being driven by unexperienced drivers, hence causing majority of near death ans death stories. I personally have been on it once an vowed never to be go on it again. Its the fastest way of getting away with anything including armed robbery, kidnapping etc. Most of these stories are not always heard about because there are some minority who do not have people to shout out for them. An example is the ALUU4 so many people would have perished through the barbaric ‘community’ justice, before the news of the 4 was published. I totally agree that ‘IT TAKES SACRIFICE TO EXPERIENCE GROWTH’. Its simple. if we really care about ourselves we need to support this movement.
    I remember once I was taking driving lessons and my instructor had the confidence I was ready to go on the main road for my last class. I was doing great… till there was a small traffic and when it was time to move…it was like the okada came from no where and I ended up climbing on him and his okada. I was in great shock that i was pressing the break continuously! I had to park to see what I was up against. I was so lucky that day that every single person both okada drivers and on lookers where on my side. I was begged to pity him with what ever money I had. thank God I did not kill anyone. I took years to start driving again. In saying that I also agree tha the government should find some other thing for them to do. For instance we need to look outside Lagos find something available in other states. there are plenty money making ventures, Lagos is not the only place. Government should make these other governors work!

  • […] Funke Opeke from the backseat of the SUV. The driver steers past a junction where a swarm of okada drivers on motorbikes are waiting by the roadside for anyone looking for a ride. “Look, there’s 50 young men […]

  • […] Funke Opeke from the backseat of the SUV. The driver steers past a junction where a swarm of okada drivers on motorbikes are waiting by the roadside for anyone looking for a ride. “Look, there’s 50 young men […]

  • […] Funke Opeke from the backseat of the SUV. The driver steers past a junction where a swarm of okada drivers on motorbikes are waiting by the roadside for anyone looking for a ride. “Look, there's 50 young men right […]

  • […] Funke Opeke from the backseat of the SUV. The driver steers past a junction where a swarm of okada drivers on motorbikes are waiting by the roadside for anyone looking for a ride. “Look, there’s 50 young men […]

  • […] Funke Opeke from the backseat of the SUV. The driver steers past a junction where a swarm of okada drivers on motorbikes are waiting by the roadside for anyone looking for a ride. “Look, there’s 50 young men […]

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