Why Lagosians Are Calling For Return Of Motorcycles/Okadas On Lagos Roads
The ban of motorcycles on major roads of Lagos state in 2012 has become a cause of challenge for the commuters in the state as they continue to find their day-to-day business activities stressful due to the limited other means of transportation.
The Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola, in an attempt to justify the ban of motorcycles on Lagos road, was reported recently to have said: “Before the road traffic law, Okada-related deaths in the state on monthly basis were between 12 and 15, but only four deaths have been recorded so far in 2014”.
While also, statistics from the Federal Road safety Commission, FRSC, show that the number of motorcycles that were impounded has increased from 3,465 in 2012 to 4,106 in 2014.
These however, do not conform to the rate of accidents that were recorded between 2012 and 2014. The document released in 2013 shows that there had been 714 recorded road accidents out of which about 109 were Okada accidents. About 210 deaths were recorded and 1,914injuries were documented.
The time of most accidents recorded also shows that about 46% occur between the hour of 5: 30 pm and 2.00 am in the early hours of the morning. 34% occur between the hour of 6.00 am and 11.30 am as 20% occur between 12pm and 4.00pm.
The Initiative for Road and Traffic Ethics (TIRT) noted that the cause of road accident in commercial nerve centre goes beyond the means of transportation but the channel of transportation on Lagos road. Mr Samuel Oladapo, the Press secretary to the Initiative posited that the acclaimed record that document reduction in the rate of Okada-related accident was illogical.
According to him “when Okada has already been banned, why would you any keep record or statistics of accidents caused by the same? If it is not there, can it cause any harm?”
The reason for the continuous existence of Okada riders on major roads is not far-fetched from the unavoidable need for a faster, reliable and flexible means of transportation within the congested area in Lagos especially those who work on the Island and live on the mainland.
Most Lagosians prefers taking an okada to and from their places of work due to the usual traffic congestion that is experienced on Lagos roads.
Though other school of thought has debunked the benefits that have been accrued to motorcycle as they consider the high risk that is associated with the use.
The decision of the state government to ban the operation of okada however has its benefits and woes on the people.
The Nigerian police have also been accused of taking advantage of the ban to impound motorcycles within neighbouring streets that does not serve major lane in Lagos.
Some Motorcycle riders are also of the opinion that the police lack information as regards the specifications of Motorcycle that has been outlawed or restricted to ply the major road. Motorcycles that are above 220 CC (Cubic capacity) can ply the major roads.
Mr Hassan, who lives around Ayobo area of Lagos state, while narrating his woes at the Ikeja impounding centre claimed that his Okada was impounded about two building away from his house where he took it for a wash.
A large number of the Okada riders are graduates who could not secure a job but resolved to riding motorcycles since the labour market has denied them of their credible credentials.
The conclusive opinion of Lagosians however, is when the government is proposing to abolish an existing system that has become part of the people, it would only be considerate to create a workable alternatives.
Source: Legit.ng
