Why we can’t stop operating, driving against traffic, by Okada riders

Task force pledges sustained arrest of defaulters
Some commercial motorcyclists also known as Okada riders, yesterday, explained why they can’t stop operating, despite the ban/restriction by the Lagos State government.

Recall that the state on June1, 2022 commenced enforcement of the ban/restriction on their operation, while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on January 2, arrested an operator along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway for violating traffic rules.

But the riders said they would continue their work despite threats from the Lagos State task force.

One of the riders, who work along the Toyota-Mile 2 route, Umar Musa, told The Guardian there is no choice but to continue.

He said: “Truly, they have stopped us many times from working on this route but we still need to come and work because we don’t have any other means.

“If we stop working, what are we going to eat?” he asked.

Musa, who said he has a wife and four children, lamented that the task force had earlier seized his motorcycle at two separate occasions but he kept getting another one to meet the needs of his family.

Another rider, identified simply as Kazeem, blamed their resistance on the state government’s failure to provide alternatives for the riders.

“If they are going to stop us from working, at least, let them provide another means of income for us. We can’t stop working and stay at home. We will definitely be tempted to start stealing people’s property for a living,” he said.

On the issue of driving against the traffic, a rider, who operates along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, said they violate the strict order because many commuters urge them to do so.

He said: “We know that it is dangerous and against the Lagos traffic laws, but most times, ‘one-way’ routes are faster. Instead of wasting your time in traffic, you can easily find your way and get to your destination in time. Most times, our passengers compel us to break the rules because they are also not patient.”

Another rider, who spoke to The Guardian at Mile 2, Raheem Ahmad, said he is not scared of getting caught or losing his bikes to security agents. According to him, those who are caught were simply unlucky.

“Look, we know we are violating the law. But people should not blame us because the people chasing us about are doing the same thing. So, why should I be the only saint? In Lagos, there is no time to waste time,” he said.

Reacting, the Director (Public Affairs) of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force), Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said the agency will continue to arrest defaulters until they are completely rooted out from the road.

Stressing that there is no crime-free society anywhere; he said the taskforce is doing everything possible to stop the riders from their illegal operations on the highways.

“Just this last week, we arrested over 332 motorcycles, and every day we are always out to checkmate them as directed by the state government. Lagos is a commercial state and we see many people coming in everyday from all over the places to work. So, the more we arrest them, the more you notice their presence because they come in everyday,” he said.

Abdulraheem advised residents against patronising okada riders because of safety concerns.

“If the riders are complaining of no jobs, they should go to Epe and start farming. Farmers are needed there. And if they can’t do farming, they should go back to their places,” he added.