Lagos State Ban on Okada Shows ACN Cannot Solve Mere Traffic Issue, National Conscience Party Scoffs

@Prince Dee your coment here shows how little you know about the new traffic law,the ban on okada and the reason behind the ban.You sugested they riders should buy keke,don't you know that there is also a ban on keke on the same 475 routes they banned okada.Go and read the law very well you will see that it was meant to demonstrate intoxicating power on the poor -be it okada riders or the low income earning workers or masses.There're aresting okada riders now by the time they change to keke they arrest them

I realy in support of governor fashpla for wath he has done,because i can remember some years back when i was in nigeria.i used to see how the motorbikes crimenals are robben people in our comunity.If any body say that gov.fashola's administration is not good,i ask he/she take care of the position if gov.fashola vacate the post.i need some one to answer me this ok.In the developed/even developing countries okada does not used for comercial transport.we all may know that countries like.Angola,ghana,south africa,mozambique,the united states,canada,dubai,here in portugal,and the europian countries in genaral.I think who ever give this idea to gov fashola must be a prophet.carry on your work gov.fashola.Ugaji joseph.from lisboa portugal...

then tell me what is d seat carrier meant for and besides that bussiness is d only self empowerment project that is working and has ever worked fasola and tinumbu can never deny that they have once used d rider for political games and even once bought for people

IS THAT SO ....U CAN ONLY BE QUALIFIED TO MAKE SUCH STATEMENTS IF U ARE HERE WITH US AND GOING THRU WHAT WE GO THRU are u aware of the state of roads in lagos do u know how many millins move from sango \agege area every morn to service the cogs of the nations economy wheels inthousand of companies and offices on d island ,dr if u have a company in lagos would you be patient enough for your staff to start reporting for duty by 10...11isham.........u make me want to deport you for a week to come test it out

i have always seen gov fasola as a snob who has alot of disdain for the poor or correct me if am wrong onthis 3 points 1 what do you call a leader that say landords in lower class surburbs must not collect over a year rent (WHICH IS COMMENDABLE)but his rish cronies on d island can collect 5years
2 a leader that destroyed the means of existence of over 10 thousand poor curtain and clothe sellers at oshodi and build a garden beside an express way where i havent seen up to ten relaxing at a time besides who would want a day with his family and decides to go to that turf i know i wouldnt
3 a leader who bans millions from earning a honest living just because a micro percent use it to steal haba!!! car are also use to do one chance now.....even boats are used by pirates ,can we have them banned too and balance the equation

The okada riders are always hasty all over the world. I think what Fashola would have done is just reorientation of the riders. That segment of the economy will definitely suffer and hike in the transportation fare will be the order of the day. The days of ACN are numbered in the South West by the grace of God, the party is only founded on deceit, greed and fake awoisim. The true democracy is government for the people, consultation is the key word that is presently missing in Lagos State and the people at the helms of affairs are too arrogant to listen to the masses even down to the so called commissioners. But let us wait and see the END of ACN it will be terrible whalahi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You cannot RESTRICT 'Okadas' when THE ROADS ARE BAD, TRANSPORT SYSTEM IS INEFFECTIVE AND WE LACK GOOD ROAD NETWORK. Solve the reasons why people take the 'Okadas' before you consider RESTRICTING them.

'Okadas' provide a very good service, and if well regulated could provide a complimentary service and solve LAGOS STATE CHAAAAAOTIC TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM! As it is, the 'Okada' is the only RELIABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM THAT I CAN TRUST TO TAKE ME FROM OGBA TO THE AIRPORT IN 20 MINUTES.

If the 'Okadas' phenomenon adds to our identity and uniqueness, like the Tricycle or 'Keke Marwa' is linked to India, and the bicycles associated with Asia, what is wrong with that? This can only add to our uniqueness and identity as a country. As long as it works for us. Singapore cannot be like London, and vice versa. Each city has its own unique identity. And if 'Okada' is ours, so be it. After all, Scottish men still put on 'Skirts' in today's world. That is their identity!

The Lagos State Govt should have continued the conversation by designing a scheme or program to absorb the 'Okada' riders or transporters. The Local Lagos State 'Police' (aka LASTMA & KAI) and the FRSC could have regulated them properly. Good training and public safety awareness training would have been beneficial. Effective policing and Fines, as deterrents, could also have helped.

Dedicated lanes, as we have in the UK, could have helped to protect people and saved lives. WHY KEEP THE BRT LANES LARGELY UNUSED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF THE DAY? Lastly, good roads could have helped, and, perhaps, even make the 'Okadas' UNATTRACTIVE.

If we had good roads, enough roads, good and clean cabs, enough BRT buses and good traffic management, maybe I wouldn't risk going on 'Okadas'. Those that patronise 'Okadas' do so for a reason. Why not solve those reasons first?

What social problem is the Lagos State Govt trying to solve by RESTRICTING (and not totally banning) the 'Okadas'? The only benefit I see is the massaging of the egos of CAR OWNERS and motorists that treat the 'Okadas' and their passengers with disdain. Those people that do not believe the common people that go on 'Okadas' also have rights on the roads. Check the facts, all those that are in support of the RESTRICTION do so for selfish reasons. Otherwise, they would have asked about WHAT ALTERNATIVE THE GOVT IS PROVIDING. The BRT is insufficient!

No thought is given to the potential social problems created by denying people of their means of livelihood? Why add to the unemployment mix or market? What benefits or support system is the Govt putting in place to absorb these people, who, in desperation COULD TURN TO CRIME, AND SWELL THE RANKS OF ARMED ROBBERS, which is even a BIGGER and far GREATER MENACE! THIS IS HOW WE CREATE PROBLEMS THAT LATER TURN AROUND TO HAUNT US!

I vowed since then to patronise the 'Okadas', albeit, at great risk, no doubt, and against the advice of my family, who could not understand that they helped me to move about and keep appointments. I once got out of a car in traffic, hopped on 'Okada', completed my mission, and took another 'Okada' back and met the driver still stuck in traffic. How about that?

RESTRICTING 'Okadas' would worsen the already CHAOTIC TRAFFIC situation. 'Okadas' provide a complimentary service and fill a gap that is missing. If properly regulated and managed they can compliment the BRT buses. And if there is a problem with their operation, then deal with that, instead of create more social problems.

You do not solve a problem by creating a bigger or worse problem. If limbs are lost because of their recklessness, then WHY EVEN ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE AT ALL? WHY RESTRICT THEM TO ONLY 475 ROADS? MAYBE THE GOVT DOES NOT MIND IF LIMBS ARE LOST IN THOSE COMMUNITIES THEY HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED TO.

Ayodele Akele (NCP) and Joe Igbokwe (ACN) are simply politicking. While Ayodele is simply grandstanding and did not address the concerns of the poor, hapless, potential jobless and likely to turn to life of crime to eke out a living, 'Okada' riders, Joe simply defends his party.

Joe says "Okada was restricted on 475 roads out of 9000 roads in Lagos. So what is the problem?". The problem, Joe, is that before the RESTRICTION, the traffic situation in LAGOS was CHAAAAAOTIC! The transport system is terrible and ineffective. Not enough public transportation, and not enough roads. And almost ALL the roads are terrible. BRT buses alone and the epileptic and rickety cabs cannot cope. People have difficulty moving about because of the bad roads and terrible traffic.

I spent 5 hours to get from Ojodu to Festac last year, and about the same time to return (making 10 hours that I spent in traffic. By which time I would have got to London and on my way back to Lagos).

Governor Fashola is doing what should have done 5 years back. Why should rogues and ruffians take over the major streets of Lagos in the name of Okada? Let them buy keke marwa and sell off their okadas and they will be tolerated. Owerri is so clean and you will not see Okada anywhere. The NCP is a non-starter as far as politics is concerned. May be it needs to be deregistered for inability to make progress. It has no electoral relevance.

The arguement that OKADA operators are responsible for XYZ percent of road accidents and robbery incidents sounds good enough to "restrict" them on 475 out of 1900 roads in lagos.My question is where are the alternatives? To both the operators who are living on this means of transportation and the commuters .There is no human face to this policy as long as he intends to make lagos more beautiful and become a true mega city I think he should carry the people along.Fashola said "no pain,no gain" must the masses be @ the receiving end @ all times?..And u don't solve a problem by creating a bigger one...Lagosians are groaning under these traffic laws..A.C.N. Should remember that 2015 is around the corner..the people will always vote based on what they FEEL and right now I think the feeling can be described as hardship!

i guess if d views of d majority counts for anything, then fashola and acn are right on dis one. NCP pls draw d line. We need a decent lagos and that takes sacrifice. U shd be talking abt measures to help ameliorate d hardship and not d merit of d law which is by all means, appropriate. In any event, it was not an outright ban. It was a mere restriction. D use of 'mere' is delibrate as a response to d earlier reference to traffic situation as mere. There is nothing near that word in d lagos traffic situation.

Okada is debasing for users, expecially women who are forced to sit astride strange unwashed men because of lack of adequate transport.

Okada is dangerious for riders and pedestrains on the road. Its bad enought that there are no sidewalks, pedestrians are mowed down daily by okadas.

Okadas do not obey traffic laws.

In Benin Republic, there is a separate lane for care, another protected lane for Motor bikes, as well as a side walk for pedestrians. Nigeria is backward and uncivilised.

Haba! National Con-Nonsense Party (abi wetin be their name self). Before you start calling the Governor Fashola all sort of names - why can't you visit the Okada Ward at Gbobi and see things for your selves? Why can't you interview 'victims' of Okada robberies? Why can't they ask themselves: if one of my relatives happens to be one of the victims? I know in Ghana,South Africa, Canada, USA and Europe - you cannot use motorcycles to transport commercially, then why should Nigeria stoop so low? Is it not a national disgrace to Nigerians generally. Gov Fashola is on the right path and should be supported by all and sundry.
Moses Oluwatusin
Toronto - Canada.

Yes, it is because the Lagos State Government has a blockhead like Kayode Opeifa and the shallow-minded Assemblymen as accomplices.

Tinubu and Fashola, from the trouble with Doctors to Okada riders. A clear indication that ACN is filled with dead woods. Its just a one man show like Buhari and CPC. How would they be able to handle the centre with this alawada mind set? Where does Bakare stand today in this matter? He is no where to be found. If it had been Jonah he would have been all over the place with Senator chief papa doctor Odumakin. Hence the need for NCP to set the ball rolling by doing all in their power to take over the seat of power in lagos state-

Okada was restricted on 475 roads out of 9000 roads in Lagos. So what is the problem? Decent living comes with a price. No gain without pains.

You dont even know who the candidates for 2015 will be and you have concluded not to vote ACN. Am sure you are an adult so please be rational when 2015 comes and vote the best candidate.

I strongly feel it is wrong for okada to be conveying passengers on highway and support Lagos govt., if you had driving along ikorodu at ojota you will understand what I am saying. Okada should be limited to within an area

The menace of Okada drivers has been addressed by Gov. Fashola. God bless you your Excellency.
Armed robberies will abate & the Okada riders who do not have respect for other road users would at least give the masses some respite.
Their should be no emotions for those lawless group of people. I was beginning to wonder how Lagos could have accommodated the influx of all those Okada drivers who where chased from other States of the Country, coming to overwhelm the traffic laws put in place in Lagos.
Haba! Where those kill & go Okada riders from Niger Republic, Nigerians as well? Lagos should not be a dumping ground for faceless human beings called Okada riders. Their nuisance value surpassed the masses we thought they helped with transportation. Long live Lagos State! Long live Nigeria. Remain blessed our dearest Gov Fashola!
Eko oni baje oooooooo!

In a modern urbanized cities around the World, Nigerians should not be expecting motorcycles to be ferrying human beings as passengers.
It is not done in Ghana,South Africa or Asia and Europe then why should Nigeria stoop so low and rural?It is a disgrace to Nigerians generally.
Lagos State governor Fashola is on the right lane and Okadas must be phase out completely and operators must learn other trades.

Dr Pat Kolawole Awosan,
Canada.

If you are so in love with okada, can you arrange your sons and daughter to enlist as riders.
You just think you must criticize every government policy just to discredit it.
Where else in the world do you see okada being used for commercial transportation in cities?
Lagos is being changed, if you and your party have problems with the positive change, you then can exercise your right to leave. Mchewww.

Please let there be no blood shed. Places like Jos, Abuja have banned the operation of motor cycles. The poor masses are usually the ones affected. Govt should provide cheap loans 4 okada riders to buy cars. This way it is a win win situation.

Thank God NCP, is gradually waking up from her self induced slumber. If there is any party that should control the South West, it should be NCP and AD. Glad though that the real opposition party in Nigeria, NCP is now speaking truth to the fake party that Atiku dashed Tinubu in Lagos. Nigerians should do all in their power to embrace the policies and program-mes of NCP. And to pay deaf ears to the 419ners in CPC and ACN. The party for the masses is NCP and not ACN-which represents certificate forgers, drug baron and the executioners in CPC.@ UNIPORT-WAHALA, one of the traditional ruler in Aluu, is an Alhaji- a Moslem. How he became a Moslem is still a mystery to me. So the killing could have been undertaken by Boko Haram after paying him to kill those boys. For no sane individual, would be stupid enough to kill 4 students and display the method used in the brutal murder of the boys on face book-somebody killed them to give Jonah a bad name-and its BH

U should also know that d Head of Aluu town is a Moslem, so we're not supprised that this attrocity was committed under his watchful eyes he belongs to religeon that upholds violence. Islamic inductrination have made him experiment with shedding of human blood, if this act had been committed in the North u can be sure he wouldn't have been arrested.pls educate ur people right.

You think it is a mere traffic issue? No you cannot get it sir. Nearly 70.% of accidents in Lagos are caused by Okada. Nearly 80% of crime or robbery incidents in Lagos are Okada induced. Critical thinking power is needed here but it is absent in this write up. The truth is that Lagosians will suffer a little but in the long run our people will see why the State govt did what needs to be done to have a decent society.

You are all being too sentimental even against Fashola and ACN. When Fashola took a bold and daring step to clear and clean Oshodi, many of you were saying the same rubbish but today, the world over are praising him for that bold step. Now you have started again to crucify Fashola on the new law to restrict Okada to certain routes. Sometimes it beats my imagination how some people who called themselves learned will not use their brain to think and know the difference between ban and restriction. Okada is never banned but restricted. I am very sure that if any of you or your family had for once being a victim of these Okada men, you would think deep and appreciate the good gesture of Fashola. Can Sowore please point to a developed world where okada is a means of transportation? You are all making comments because of your hatred towards Fashola and his party. Please let's be reasonable in our comments.

Interesting to see the number of people writing and trying to use the opportunity of okada ban to get rid of ACN in Lagos State. The problem is how many people think like them; if they would be enough to vote ACN out and whether they will actually vote when the time comes.

At such times, I think back to the bruhaha about the Lekki toll gates and the noise made that nobody will patronize the toll road. Guess what today....

Gradually we will get dragged into the current century in our thinking and way of life.