Lagosians groan as Govt ban on Okada, Tricycles begin today
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Govt Gives reason for action
As the ban on Okada and Tricycles by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu begins in Lagos today, Lagosians are not happy describing government’s action as act of insensitivity and disregard to the well-being of the masses.
Our Correspondent who visited some parts of Lagos state including Ikeja GRA, Awolowo Road, Kudirat Abiolaway, Agidingbi, Oba Akinjoyi, Toyin Street, Oba Akran Avenue among others saw people trekking in groups.
Residents of these areas who spoke with our correspondent under condition of anonymity expressed their grievances on the situation blaming government of always taking action without considering the wellbeing of the people.
Some of them said they had to trek long distances to their destinations, pointing out that if palliative measures are not put in place before working days, it might lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.
One Mr. Felix Obinna, a businessman, who spoke to our correspondent along Oba Akinjobi, GRA, Ikeja, said although government action might be on the interest of the people, but said the manner of implementation is bad, and called on government to rescind its action.
He said if care is not taken, the situation may worsen already high unemployment rate in the state, which according to him, might lead to more crime in the state.
According to him, “What government supposed to have done before the ban, was to ensure deployment of the blue busses to those areas mapped out for the ban as well as ensure that its ferry services at the state water ways is reactivated to support road transportation.
“In addition to these, government should have informed the people of their intensions and also gave them enough time to become used to the situation before announcing the ban.”
It should be recalled that the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had on January 27, banned Okada and tricycles in 15 local council areas, major highways and bridges in the state.
The state government in order to justify its action gave reasons for the ban, stating that the ban is in consonance with the Lagos State Transport Reform Laws 2018 as well as to reduce high rate of fatal accidents caused by Okada and Tricycles and crimes aided by operators of these means of transport.
