THE BAN ON LAGOS ‘OKADA’ RIDERS – ARE THERE HIDDEN REPERCUSSIONS?

Photo Credit - Ayaka

September 1st, 2010 was a turning point for Lagos commuting as we know it. Commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘okadas,’ were banned from major thoroughfares in the Lagos metropolis.

The Lagos State government officially issued a new commuting regulation to bikers within the state, in order to significantly reduce the rates of traffic, accidents and deaths caused by this means of transport. However, despite the good intentions of the state government, diverse reactions have been expressed from varying sections of the populace.

An overwhelming amount of people welcomed the new regulation on okadas. Chioma Osei, a bank sales representative said “they have been a dangerous nuisance for far too long. They drive recklessly, damage your cars and worse endanger our lives and those of their own passengers. My driver was killed in an okada accident on his way to work.” Another Lagosian expressed relief, “yet again, I commend Governor Fashola for taking this stance. Lagos will be a much safer city now for motorists and pedestrians. Okadas should be banned completely if you ask me. Look at Abuja and how motorable it is since they banned them.”

On the flip side, many people have described the regulation as an inhumane decision by the government; taken under the guise of serving and protecting the lives and property of its citizens. Many Lagosians condemn the rapid decision and implementation process the government took. However, discrediting this was the statement from the Special Adviser on Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa who explained that, “the sensitization period was about nine months and we rubbed minds with both the leaders and members of the various motorcycle owners and riders associations.” He further elaborated that they “did not ban okada operations; all we want is to ensure the safety of lives and property, by restricting them from plying the highways. A lot of fatal accidents involving okadas had been recorded in the past.”

Photo Credit - Ayaka

There is a definite sigh of relief from motorists, pedestrians and a large percentage of the population who have until recently had to battle for ownership of the roads with daredevil okada riders. In line with the new regulation set forth by the state government, the following roads are now restricted from okada operations. For Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi – the entire Central Business District Area, Ozumba Mbadiwe (from Bonny Camp to first roundabout), Awolowo Road, Bourdillon Road, Gerald Avenue to name a few. For the mainland, the entire stretch of Funso Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed Way to Jibowu, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo and Idumota are off limits for okada drivers. They are also prohibited from motoring Jibowu to Ikorodu Town Roundabout, Third Mainland Bridge, Apapa – Oshodi Expressway and a range of network of roads around the Lagos metropolis.

To get a comprehensive understanding of the effects of this new regulation, Ayaka sought out okada riders to ascertain their own perspective. The affected commercial bikers complained of a significant reduction in their daily income in comparison to what they made before the regulation.  According to some, it is like indirectly banning them from working because many of their high return operating routes have been included in the list of restricted areas. To add “insult to injury” as one dissatisfied okada driver explained, they have now been prohibited from carrying pregnant women, underage children and passengers who refuse to wear the mandatory crash helmet. Other bikers expressed sympathy for pregnant women and school children who would now be stranded in Lagos during rush hour and faced with challenges paying expensive taxi fares and hustling for overcrowded public BRT buses.

Ayaka discovered that not all motorcyclists have been banned. Courier service dispatchers and private motorcycle owners are allowed to operate, however, provided they stay on service lanes, wear crash helmets and carry no more than one passenger. They, too, are prohibited from carrying pregnant women or minors and must have all the proper documentation.

So far, there appears to be total compliance on the island. According to statistics provided by Lagos State, Comrade Opeifa stated that the compliance percentages within the first three days of enforcement were as follows: helmet wearing – 90% compliance, transporting only one passenger – 90% compliance, tranporting of minors – 95% compliance and a 99% compliance of not transporting pregnant women.

The above statistics will spearhead a major improvement in the accident rates as stated by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo. At a forum, he stated “okada-related accidents accounted for an average of 70% of road accidents in Lagos between January and May of this year. And 14% of these accidents were fatal.”

According to government sources, the okada operators at a recent stakeholders meeting beseeched the State government to endorse a quarterly meeting with them, in order to deliberate on the regulation, review where success has been recorded and what necessary changes should be effected. Comrade Opeifa confirms this and notes that a stakeholders meeting on the regulation will be held in December later this year, ”where we will dialogue on the way forward.”

As improved as the motorways are with the new regulation, there are undoubtedly adverse consequences. First, the number of motorcycles that were spread across a larger area are now confined to selected areas. This has begun creating congestion, traffic and a struggle for limited passengers and parking. With the congestion comes the increased risk of crime and deviance in these highly concentrated areas. Many “disgruntled” bikers will resort to other deviant ways of recouping lost income. Many fear crime will certainly increase.

Photo Credit - Ayaka

That said, even though Lagos State has provided additional BRT commercial buses to counter the vacuum created by the absence of the okadas, is it enough? At major intersections at rush hour, long lines of pedestrians waiting for buses well into late hours of the night.  What other additional measures are being taken to counter the increased presence of unlicensed “danfo” buses who are also trying to cash in on the increased demand. Why isn’t there a visible increased police presence on the roads to enforce these new regulations as well as deter those inclined to turn to crime?

Ayaka will continue to access the situation and will be doing a follow up article with more updates and information. Stay tuned!