Some motorcycle riders, popularly called “Okada”, said the ban on their operations in some parts of Ikeja by the Lagos State Government has imposed economic hardship on them.
They said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos while reacting to the ban.
The state government had on March 13 banned the operation of okada in some areas in Ikeja.
The areas are Oba Akran, Bank Anthony Way, Isaac John, Opebi Link Bridge, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Acme Road, Alausa, Oregun, Simbiat Abiola Way and Kodeso Road with immediate effect.
Mr Timothy Eromosele, an okada rider, said that many of his colleagues were operating in few areas in Ikeja, adding that the action had imposed economic hardship on them.
Eromoselesaid that many residents of the affected areas now patronised buses and tricycles to go to their various places of interest.
He said that before the ban they made lots of profits, but now, the reverse was the case.
Mr Jacob Adole, a commercial motorcyclist, said that he had yet to adapt to the ban on the operation of okada riders in Ikeja area.
Adolesaid that he had severally and mistakenly plied the restricted routes and almost got apprehended by the police.
“The ban has caused a sharp cut in my daily profit since l can no longer ply these areas where we have bulk of our passengers.’’
Adolesaid that the situation would improve for the best.
Mrs Ifeoma Nwaneto a resident of the area said that before the ban she could easily take a motorcycle from her house to places of interest.
“But, the situation has changed, as l have to walk a reasonable distance to the road before l can get transport to my destination.
“It has not been easy for residents of these areas, who are not mobile. I urge Lagos State Government to reconsider its stand on the ban of okada operation in Ikeja.’’
Mr Kehinde Olumide, a resident of Ikeja, also said that since the ban, there had been a dire need for alternative means of transportation as many areas “are not accessible to commercial buses’’.
“The restriction has caused much stress for residents of the area.’’
Olumideurged the government to provide alternative means of transport for residents of the restricted areas.
In her comment, Mrs Bimbola Okoya, another resident, said that the state government should provide more tricycles popularly called ‘keke’ to shuttle the restricted areas.(NAN)
?