Thousands of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called ‘Okada’ riders, stormed Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, office of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, to appeal a suspension on the ban on their activities in six Local Government Areas, scheduled to commence on September 1, 2022.
The protest was led by the leadership of the Members of Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State.
Lagos State Zone C Chairman, Tijani Pekins, appealed to the state government to engage the association and work out modalities to save millions of members, whose livelihoods will be grossly affected by the enforcement of the ban.
“if security of lives and property remains government’s primary objective, definitely it is everybody’s business, we are ready to sensitise our members with the help of the government , all we pray for now is a constructive dialogue to resolve the matter.”
On his part, the Chairman Zone I, Mr. Martins Abdulrahman said the ban would threaten their means of livelihood.
Similarly, the chairman, Zone S Mr Adeleke Adegboyega, noted that with the latest ban, more than 20,000 okada riders would be affected, saying that on the average, an operator have a minimum of 10 family members to cater for, wondering what would become of such person’s fate
Also, Chairman, Zone H, Mr Azeez Ayorinde, called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to come to their rescue, noting that banning okada business in the state would have a ripple effect.
According to him, it is not only the riders that will be affected, noting that those who deal in spare parts, the mechanics, the food sellers, among others would also suffer for lack of patronages, adding: “There is no
The protesters emphasised that the ban could increase crime rates.
The state government had earlier in May banned activities of okada riders in six Local Governments Areas and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), making a total of 10 Local Governments Areas and 15 (LCDAs), covered by the ban.
Editing by Barnabas Hunjo; editing Hadiza Abdulrahma, Omotola Oguneye