The Lagos State Government today made an announcement banning motorcycles and tricycles banning major roads in the State.
The ban was placed on roads like Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Eti Osa, Lagos Island, and Ikeja. The ban not only covers motorcycles but ride-hailing platforms like Opay and Gokada.
While the ban is wrongly misplaced, because it can topple the revenues of ride-hailing firms, the ripple effect is the loss of jobs for members of the transport profession.
Lagos State Government on Monday wielded the big stick against the menace of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) @jidesanwoolu @gbenga_omo #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/pIoy6RzGjz
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) January 27, 2020
The ban is effective February 1 which barely leaves cyclists and keke riders barely 4 days to cushion the effect and switch jobs. On the other hand, motorcycles and bikes are alternatives to a congested Lagos which is more than the purported population of 22 million people.
In anger, Lagosians have taken to Twitter to protest the Government's act which is not only ill-timed but ill-advised.
Chemical Sister said, "Banning Okada in Lagos is not a new practice. It happened during Fashola’s tenure & led people to buy Keke Maruwas for business. Now you want to take that away as well? What will families feed on? Breadwinners won’t be able to provide bread very soon, not to think of traffic.
Banning Okada in Lagos is not a new practice. It happened during Fashola’s tenure & led people to buy Keke Maruwas for business. Now you want to take that away as well? What will families feed on? Breadwinners won’t be able to provide bread ????very soon???? not to think of traffic??????????
— Chemical Sister???????? (@SavvyRinu) January 27, 2020
Pilot called for a massive protest
This is the time for PDP. Lagos to organise keke drivers, bike riders, etc for massive protests. Perfect time to win the demography that keeps voting in APC in Lagos state. But nooooo. They will release statement on Twitter as if we are the ones riding keke.
— No one (Pilot by Affidavit) (@ilynem) January 27, 2020
Tarkwa Bay was not enough, yet this is even worse!
First the forced displacement of the people of Tarkwa Bay, and now the Okada & Keke ban. It isn’t even the end of January yet and 2020 has already been wicked to the poor people of Lagos.
— Nerve Bender (@okemzuruoke) January 27, 2020
Aba Boy said the Government was just determined to spike unemployment.
Surviving in Nigeria is really a blessing, imagine a country with a high unemployment rate scrapping the few means of employment left
— Aba Boy ???? (@Frank_LeanXV) January 27, 2020
Lagos government woke up one day and decided no more keke and okadas in Lagos any more, even as hunger is almost killing us??
@Buchi_Laba gave us the heads up. Posters are already up!
Poster Up “Sandfill Roundabout Eti Osa VI”
— Laba Laba Master???????? (@Buchi_Laba) January 27, 2020
Ban of Keke and Okada takes effect from February first. ?????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/xwXJ487C9y
Abike is already addicted to Bikes
So Lagos State government has just place a ban on Okada, Opay, Gokada and Keke Napep in some certain LGA.......
— MhAreeYam?????? (@Yahya_abike) January 27, 2020
How I'm gon survive I hate taking bus, I literally take bike to wherever I'm going to????????
@wuuhuuu1 said, "Since no Okada or Keke, imagine you have an important flight to catch and looking at this Lagos traffic wey you no fit predict. you better leave a day earlier and sleep in the airport."
Since no Okada or Keke, imagine you have an important flight to catch and looking at this Lagos traffic wey you no fit predict. you better leave a day earlier and sleep in the airport, ????????????
— Ovuike_jnr (@wuuhuuu1) January 27, 2020
Apapa with all those trailers has to be the traffic HQ of Lagos. How will people who live and work there cope now with this Okada and Keke ban by Lagos state Govt? Mehnnn I feel for them.
— Moji Sensei Delano (@MojiDelanoBlog) January 27, 2020
Bolarin's plight
My house is a 45minutes drive to the office.
— Bolarinwa O N I W U R A (@Bolarin_) January 27, 2020
The shortest I've done it in a car between 7am and 9pm is a 100minutes.
I cover the same distance in 3 short Keke rides between 7am and 9pm in 60minutes.
Therein the 3 sentences above you find the stupidity of @followlasg decision.
