From Princely Onyenwe
Okada riders in Lagos State Nigeria are crying furiously to the state government to permit their operations within local routes across Lagos.
This call came this Wednesday morning after their discussion with the Oshodi/Isolo Council Boss and other relevant government agencies failed.
The Okada drivers have request for the provision of Rider/Passenger Helmets to every bike and are ready to obey traffic laws and state order restricting major roads.
Our Lagos state correspodent reports that the affected Okada riders in Lagos state have reported their plights to their respective Council headquarters but all promises made have proved futile till the time of this report by 9News Nigeria.
Okada riders are finding it difficult to feed their families and pay their bills pending the lifting of sanction by state government.
Recall that Lagos state government few weeks ago passed a state order that stopped the operation of Okada riders in the state. The order stated that Okada riding in lagos is banned forthwith and any ailing Rider and their passenger found on the roads of lagos will be arrested and prosecuted. The order also stated a huge amount of money to be paid as fine for violating the law.
Having known the population of lagos residents, criminalities and groups of Agboro have increased coupled with the austerity in the land. The stoppage of Okada riders has automatically accrued to hard times in Lagos.
Sources revealed that stoppage of Okada has added to increase in criminality, multiplicity of Agboro across Lagos.
Speaking with 9News Nigeria (Lagos), groups of Okada riders in Oshodi, Mafoluku and Ikutun axis are keen to obey the orders of government but pleaded with same government of lagos state under GOVERNOR Sanwo Olu to re-instate okada riding across local routes.
Majority of the Okada riders are family-men that are paying alot of bills and by stopping it entirely will bring untold hardship mostly as the Christmas and News Festive Seasons are close.
9News Nigeria therefore suggest, Okada riders to be reinstalled. Sanctions be made on restricted routes and Helmet be provided through the ministry of Transport in partnership with the local governments to regulate Okada activities.
Taskforce be mobilized to check on ailing Okada riders who will flaunt the law. The hardship is much on the low income earners in Lagos.
The government ban on Okada was ochestrated by the series of reports of continous careless driving and road accidents caused by Okada riders across Lagos.
However, to sanction riding within local routes and wearing of Helmets by both the rider and the passenger, the people will be happy and discipline instilled, 9News Nigeria reports.
My interview with Lagocians confirmed that the masses are seriously finding it difficult to trek long distance before one could see Keke or Mauruwa Bus to board. This is because, certain routes Okada riders ply, vehicles finds it difficult to drive on.
It is a call in the right direction for the government of Lagos state led by GOVERNOR Sanwo Olu to hear the cry of Okada drivers, organize training session for them and allow them operate at designated routes within the streets of lagos and not along major roads.
The Ojigbo bike crime that led to the Killing of a woman within the area is highly condemnable but at least a recall of Okada riders will help the people en-route local roads.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
