Okada Ban: 15 CSOs declare support for total clampdown, decry Lagos threatened by dare-devil riders
By Moses Adeniyi
No less than 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Faith and Community based Organisations on Wednesday teamed up to drum support for the ban of operations of motorcycles, popularly called Okada, in Lagos, declaring their full weight of resolve to assist the government for a heavy clampdown on the new declaration restricting their operation in the metropolis.
Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had for the umpteenth time declared the operation of Okada in some areas of the metropolis banned.
The decision had followed reports of incessant cases of cruelties reportedly perpetrated by men who are connected with operation of motorcycles across the State metropolis.
This is just as reports have shown foreigners are now trooping into the State from neighbouring Countries, using the avenue of Okada as their cover for illegal habitation and illegitimate activities.
Consequently, the groups numbering about 15, under the aegis of Defend Lagos Coalition, at a press conference on Wednesday on the immediate need for a total clampdown on commercial motorcycles (Okada), called for a total clampdown, declaring their resolve for full support.
The Groups include: Activists for Good Governance; Center Against Injustice and Domestic Violence; Center for Social and Econopmic Rights; Grassroots Democratic Initiatives; Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups; Ideal Society Movement; Ideal Society Movement; Centre for Public Accountability; Movement for democratic change; Community Rights and Child Upliftment; Northern Youth Coalition; Community Women Initiative; Community Women Initiative; Transparency and Good Governance Group; Access to Advocacy and Rights of the People.
Describing the issue as “a very urgent and crucial issue that affects our collective existence as a people living in Lagos State,” the Group maintained they were resolute to support the Government with all it takes to execute the ban action.
This is just as the Group called for a total ban of the operation of Okada in the State, arguing the use of motorcycles in the State is not worthy of a mega city of excellence like Lagos.
The convener, Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihekaire, who spoke on behalf of the body comprising amalgamation of Civil Society Organisations, Faith and Community based organisations observed that the State has “experienced several threats to lives and property, flagrant disobedience of the laws of the land”, by what they described as “the ‘army’ of undocumented commercial motorcycle operators, who have laid siege Lagos State.”
Commending Governor Sanwo-Olu for what they described as a show “dutiful commitment”, they said the decision to ban their operations was pertinent, to change the narratives of the “sense of insecurity convened by these dare-devil riders.”
The Group maintained that independent surveys, carried out revealed that “not only are majority of these motorcycle riders foreigners from countries, such as Republic of Chad, Niger Republic and other neighboring countries, but also found that they constitute a very potent risk to lives and properties of Lagosians.”
Decrying “violent crimes and civil disturbances directly linked to the motorcycle operators,” they lamented the spate has recorded increasingly, the destruction of assets, loss of lives of innocent citizens and security agents.
“They must be stopped before it is too late,” the Group mentioned.
The Groups in their joint speech, signed by the Conveners of all the various groups, said: “We begin by commending Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the bold step of announcing the ban on Okada operations in six local government council areas and LCDAs. Once again, Mr. Governor has shown without any doubt that he is a dutiful servant of the people who is ever ready to listen and carry out the people’s desires in line with his constitutional mandate.
“Lagosians have, on a daily basis, experienced several threats to lives and property, flagrant disobedience of the laws of the land, by the ‘army’ of undocumented commercial motorcycle operators, who have laid siege Lagos State.
“The sense of insecurity convened by these dare-devil riders should not be allowed to continue.
“It is worrisome and unfortunate that we, as a people, are responsible for the menace that Okada has become in the land today due to our complicity.
“We no longer walk so as to enjoy the health benefits that come with it. At the slightest opportunity we jump on Okada to get to our destinations.
“Our artisans and able-bodied youths have abandoned their trained jobs to become emergency okada riders.
“Our youths are no longer interested in vocational training to earn a decent and enduring living; rather, they have taken to riding okada to make “quick” money with the attendant risk to their lives.”
The Group observed “over 45% of the 767 Okada accidents that has happened this year (2022) involved people whose ages range between 36 and 39 years.
“This is incredible, yet it happened right before our eyes. This is too much a price to pay for whatever advantage Okada may have.
“Therefore, as responsible citizens, we can no longer continue to feign ignorance of the threat to our existence, which the continued activities of commercial motorcycle operators portend.”
Declaring its resolve for heavy clampdown, the Group said: “We have, therefore, come together today to ask Lagosians to join us in demanding from the Lagos State Government a total clampdown on motorcycles (okada) as a means of transportation in every nook and cranny of the state.”
The Group maintained that though there would be some discomfort from the ban, yet the necessity to avoid looming implications was significant.
“There is no doubt, that as often said in the past, that there will be some discomfort created by the clampdown, as being demanded by us, the security implication of not enforcing the clampdown will be a major threat to peace, public safety and continued survival of law abiding citizens of Lagos State.
“We have gotten to a stage, as citizens of Lagos State, where we should know that motorcycles could not be the preferred choice of transportation in a Centre of Excellence.
“Furthermore, available records have shown that motorcycles operations have been identified as the favorite of criminals, who torment our people in traffic and their various communities,” it argued.
The Group submitted that “As it stands today, a collective action, which requires the input of all true Lagosians, is needed to eradicate the menace of Okada in Lagos.”
The Group called on “the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration to immediately work towards the restoration of law and order in public transportation, in order to ease the inconveniences that will likely arise, as a result of this inevitable demand.
“We urge all well meaning Lagosians, who are concerned about the lawlessness and insecurity being perpetrated by these motorcycle operators in Lagos State to support the government on its decision, and join us in prevailing on the government, to enforce a TOTAL CLAMPDOWN on motorcycle activities in Lagos.
“We remain conscious of the concerns that are going to be raised on the other side, but a price must be paid. It’s a trade-off between our inconvenience and our existence.
“It is important to let you know, that as at today, the operations of these undocumented immigrants mostly operating these motorcycles have been banned in Rivers State, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, Nassarawa, Delta, and Abia. The case of Lagos State should not be different,” the Group said.
It reminded “the Governor of Lagos State, that he has a constitutional obligation to protect the lives and properties of Lagosians,” arguing that any form of action, “which seeks to make this impossible must be confronted, in the overall interest of the people.”
The Group noted that its independent survey revealed that the actions of transportation unions, Local governments, some community development Association encourage the commercial operations.
“They issue tickets to these operators for money. This should be checkmated by the State government with all the seriousness it deserves.
“Besides, law enforcement agents are expected to join forces with the government in implementing this ban without any compromise,” the Group decried.
