[TNG Special Report] Ban: Okada riders devise new ways to operate in restricted areas

Barely four weeks after the ban placed on operations of motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Maruwa) by the Lagos State Government in some parts of the state became effective, the indignant riders are beginning to device new ways to operate while trying as much as possible to escape the prying eyes of the task force team assigned to ensure compliance by the state government.

On February 3, commuters in Lagos wore long faces as they came to terms with the impact and reality of the state government’s decision to restrict the movement of commercial motorcycles and their tricycles from major roads and highways in the state. While the ban became effective on Saturday, February 1, most residents didn’t feel the heat till the next working day, Monday, February 3.

Hundreds of people, stranded at bus stops, were forced to trek long distances in the absence of their usual means of transport.

Recall that the state government had on January, 27th, announced plans to commence total enforcement of Reform Traffic Law of 2018 on activities of the operators on restricted routes and bridges across 15 Local Government Areas of the state with effect from February 1st.

However, four weeks down the line, Lagosians have adjusted to the reality while the riders are devising new means to stay in business.

We operate early mornings and nights, bribe police when accosted

A tour of the restricted areas by TNG in the last one week showed that there was full compliance in some areas, while others flagrantly disobeyed. The riders still operate on a ‘free for all’ basis in areas like Apapa and Oshodi-Apapa Expressway though not in their large numbers. Some of the riders confessed to bribing police officers while others dared the government to arrest them.

“We still operate o. However, it’s on a low key and risky as well. Early in the morning, we pick customers in between roads and drop them a few distance to the bus stops to avoid arrests. At nights, we operate fully and bribe police officers with as little as N100 and as much as N1000 to allow us work. We sometimes inflate the prices we charge customers to cover for the extra cost. It’s not been easy but we have to survive,” a rider at Ojuelegba area of Lagos said.

Another rider said: “They cannot just kick us out of the road just like that. We are responsible residents with families to cater for. If you want us to dump Okada work, then employ us. Most of the people you see riding motorcycles and tricycles are learned people but the unemployment and prevailing economic reality has forced them to take on this job temporarily to avoid breaking the law to make ends meet. I operate during the day and night. Anytime, they arrest me, I’ll get a lawyer to defend me in court. The economic situation in this country is really serious. We now even have female riders in our midst for you to know how serious things are.”

Meanwhile, so far, there has been strict compliance in Ikeja Secretariat, Ojodu Berger, Ikeja under bridge and Allen Avenue where the activities of okada were usually high. However, the compliance level varies in other affected areas when TNG crew visited during the week.

Ikorodu to Ketu/Mile 12

There was total compliance from Ikorodu Round-about to Agric, Ogolonto, Majidun, Itowolo, Ajegunle and Owode to Ketu/Mile 12. From Mile 12 to Ketu, total compliance was noticed as commercial riders kept off the route to avoid facing the wrath of the law. Similarly, the riders had boycotted Mile 12 Under-bridge.

Iyana-Oworo /Third Mainland Bridge

There was total compliance from Ikorodu Road to Iyana-Oworo and Third Mainland Bridge as the riders appeared to have relocated to Alapere, Ajelogo and other inner routes.

Oregun Road

There was partial compliance in the axis as some riders usually outwitted the law enforcement operatives by plying the route most especially to Tollgate and other inner routes.

Yaba Local Government

Apart from Alaagomeji, violation of the restriction order took place at Oyingbo and its environ as commercial motorcycle operators dared the enforcement team by carrying out their activities in the area.

Lagos Island

There was full compliance in Lagos Island especially in places like Adeniji Adele, Jankara, Tom Jones, Eyin-Eyo, Idumota, Dosunmu, Ebute-Ero, Mosalasi and General Hospital. Tom Jones and Eyin Eyo which used to be associated with clustered commercial motorcycles are completely free from gridlock.

The bike-hailing businesses

The bike hailing companies all seem to have keyed into the development. Throughout the monitoring process, TNG could not sight any of the branded bikes on the restricted roads. According to reports, most have relocated to neighbouring states while others operated within the limits of the law in areas permissible. Others have however been converted for delivery purposes across the state.

Recall that the bike-hailing companies launching in Lagos rolled out their operations with motorcycles above 200 cylinder capacity. The first to arrive was Max.Ng, around 2015, followed by Gokada, Safeboda, and O’Ride.

How we are coping – Lagosians speak

Some Lagosians however expressed mixed feelings concerning the ban. While others are in full support, others expected the government to have rolled out and test run alternatives before placing the ban.

“Well we don’t have powers to challenge government’s decision but I think the whole ban thing wasn’t well thought out. It’s a case of putting the cart before the horse. You don’t experiment with something that you are not sure of. We are moving on but these past weeks have been hell without these bikes and tricycles in place. Even if they are going to ban the unprofessional riders, the more recently launched private bikes should have been spared because they are identifiable and follow government’s specifications. Depriving people of their services without an alternative is deliberate and wicked.,” a regular bike user at Ikeja said.

It is however a different song for an engineer working on the Island. According to him, people risk their lives in the first place riding on the bikes. “The ban will save thousands of people from untimely deaths. I wonder why people will feel comfortable riding on a bike with just tyres from the mainland to the Island and even some farther distance in some cases.Many people are already handicapped and unable to do what they were in haste to do by riding the bikes in the first place. It ‘s always wise to arrive later than never. I’m in full support of the ban. The riders are constituting nuisance on the roads.”

Indiscriminate arrests by task force team, police in unaffected LGs/LCDAs

Investigations by TNG further revealed that some members of the Task Force team and other police officers arrest riders and seize their bikes even in areas unaffected by the ban. While some are lucky to retrieve their bikes after parting with certain amount of money, others forfeit the bikes and are even detained.

A rider by name Sola, operating within Ikotun axis said they are easy targets to the police and task force team. “My brother these police people are harassing us. Just last week, they seized my colleague’s bike after beating him up thoroughly. We are all away that the ban does not affect this area but the police always come up with one offence or the other to justify the arrest and seizure of our bikes,” he said.

Asked if they plan doing anything to stop the harassment, Sola said: “We are planning on gathering ourselves to report the illegal activities to the Area Commander next week. Its becoming unbearable.”