Okada Ban: Gokada, Max riders stage protest in Lagos, demand ban regulation
by Damilola IsmailLagos motorbike hailing service company, Gokada and Max Okada riders came out to protest the ban by the government, asking that it is regulated.
The Lagos state government gave an ultimatum that by February 1st, 2020, all okada in the state are banned from plying the highways and bridges but Gokada and Max Okada riders are demanding a regulation of the ban through this protest.
The riders wearing their helmets walked down the road carrying banners expressing revealing why the government needs to regulate the ban to exclude them.
Some of the writings on their different banners read;
FAMILY MAN NOT “ROUGHIAN”
I am trained, certified and tracked always.
OVER 2 MILLION TRIPS, ZERO FATALITY
IF YOU NO USE HELMET, NO RIDE.
In a recent Q&A session with the Lagos state government, they revealed why they motorcycle hailing companies will also be banned.
Q. Why are Gokada, O’pay and others affected?
A. They have also been found to be part of the problem. The Truth is that Okada, no matter what fanciful name it’s called, is not part of the Greater Lagos journey on which we have embarked. Our youths no longer learn the trades we used to be proud of – tailoring, bricklaying, printing, painting and other. Now we get artisans from neighbouring countried. Okada is not an enduring trade.
Follow us on Facebook – @Lailasnews; Twitter – @LailaIjeoma for updates