After the Okada and Keke ban that took effect in Lagos on February 1, things have changed. At best it is a bittersweet experience for the people concerned. The Lagos State government banned the vehicles from most of Lagos roads because they contribute to chaos and disorderliness in the state. Over three weeks into the ban, and there are major outcomes already while the future outlook is also becoming clearer.
The sweet
Reduction in bike-related robberies and accidents: Many people agree with the government when it comes to the menace of insecurity caused by the use of commercial motorbikes. Before the ban, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Gbenga Omotoso revealed that 30 robbery cases involving motorcycles were reported in 2019. In the same statement, Omotosho also said that in the last three years, more than 200 cases of motorcycle accidents were recorded monthly at health facilities across the state. Since the ban, not many of these incidents have been documented.
Omotoso disclosed recently that data from the State Police Command confirmed that Okada-rider accidents reduced from 19 in January 2020 before the restriction order to one between February 1 and February 20.
Fitness: Many Lagosians now walk distances they hitherto cover on bikes or rickshaws. Even though many of these count the new routine as stressful, some have expressed its helpfulness in their lives. Afeez Olokodana, a shopkeeper at the Oregun end of Ogudu road now walks from Seven-Up to Oregun and back every day. “The government is supposed to provide alternative before banning bikes and Keke like that, but it is okay, at least I get my daily dose of exercise while coming and going to work and I now sleep better at night,” he said.
Walking is one of the best exercises for general healthy living.
Many people have also alluded to the contribution of the #okadaban to their physical fitness.
Return to default setting: Commercial bike riders who abandoned their trade because of the easy money afforded by the bike business are reconsidering. Tunde Oludare who rides from Unilag gate to Fadeyi bus stop said he is going back to his carpentry work. Even though the axis where he rides is not affected by the ban, he tells of his friend who died while trying to escape arrest by policemen for riding on one of the roads where bikes were banned. “We have been doing this okada work together for about 12 years now, and he just died like that yesterday the said the police car hit him,” he said. “Since I heard the news my determination to leave this work has become stronger.”
Like many other okadas and kekes after the ban, there’s a “for sale” label on his bike.
The bitter
Loss of livelihood: On February 1, 2020, some people woke up with the awkward feeling of not knowing what to do next. Their only source of income gone, they are left in the lurch regarding the next move. Some have expressed desire to take on any work, even crime, due to this sudden loss. Even the government that made the law is affected. Where will replace the revenue from the riders now?
Violence: As a direct response to the ban, on February 3, 2020, okada and keke riders took to the streets to protest the ban. Violent clashes erupted between the protesters and the police in several places including, Ijora, Iyana Ipaja and Ikeja.
All Her Intestines Came Out –Father of Schoolgirl Hit by Stray Bullet
Watch full video>>>>https://t.co/ktqUweKpKQ pic.twitter.com/1RfQC8uyD4
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) February 17, 2020
Traffic jam: In the weeks following the ban, there were more complaints of traffic jams on the roads. The most likely explanation to this sudden increase, according to many commuters, is the rise in the rise in numbers of personal vehicles on the road. People who would hitherto leave their cars at home now bring it to town, people also use more taxis, hence the increase in traffic jams.
The future
Like the present, the future is double edged. The state government has promised to provide small commuter vehicles on roads affected by the ban. Many Lagosians are eager to see the alternative. The alternative may help with the livelihood problem too. If the sweet part of the #okadaban story is consolidated and the bitter parts are sweetened, then the megacity would have taken several steps in the right direction. If the losses are not cushioned, it is only going to be a matter of time before the bikes and kekes come back more daring and meaner. Will the gains of the ban be sustained? Will the losses be alleviated? Time will tell.
