By Christiana Abogunrin
The Lagos-Badagry expressway was an embarrassment and that was putting it mildly. Nigeria’s gateway to West African countries was nothing short of a nightmare. Motorists had to possess special driving skills to enable them to maneuver past the scary potholes, craters, gullies and washed up sections. Some were not that lucky as their vehicles got stuck in the mud for weeks. That was how bikes came to the rescue. This is the story of the past – as the road has now been reconstructed wearing a new smooth look, but with new problems.
A while back, the Lagos State Task Force, led by its (then) Chairman CSP Shola Jejeloye, in a major operation seized a total of 497 motorcycles, also known as okadas, for violating traffic laws in the state. The operation was aimed at ensuring public safety and enforcing the restriction of motorcycles on highways and bridges. The Task Force operatives usually deploy to various parts of the state – including the Lagos-Badagry expressway, to clamp down on errant motorcycle operators.
Despite the numerous operations carried out to rid the highway of Okada incursion, in a few hours time, the road will be filled with new bikes and their menacing rides.
Okadas are back, in full force!
However, the Okada menace is back in full force. In fact, they are now the lords of the road as they usually blame pedestrians who fall victim to their recklessness and typically one way driving.
What’s more, not even the intervention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during during one of his outings in the axis where he arrested a few Okada riding soldiers has influenced a positive change.
Some say, most of the riders are connected to police operatives, others told EveryDayLagos that soldiers from Ojo Cantonment and other military formations in the area use their influence to either operate commercial bikes on the highway or hire other riders.
A Lagos resident, Mr Ola, who works along the Lagos-Badagry expressway spoke with EveryDayLagos, stating the reasons for the okada menace, traffic and environmental infractions.
He mentioned that the bikemen who were fully aware of the government’s directive not to operate their taxis on the expressway appear to have resolved to ride against traffic (take one way) in order to avoid being arrested by the police hence the menace. He mentioned how the lives of the students of Lagos State University (LASU) and other residents that ply the road are often in danger.
Okadas from communities such as Okokomaiko, Alaba, Ijanikin, and others, continue to operate despite the government’s ban. These okadas, pick up passengers from their communities and transport them to various destinations across Lagos.
Even while they pass the one-way route, they drive carelessly and even threaten pedestrians. Some students of LASU attest to being harassed by these bikemen.The ones that pass the normal lane while driving refuse to obey traffic rules or signals and try to maneuver through cars and trucks in traffic.
Even the passengers encourage the recklessness. This newspaper is not sure whether state authorities has convicted passengers and made a show of it in that axis for riding on the prohibited highway. It appears, few or nobody has been made a scapegoat as allegations of bribery between arrested bikemen and security officials rent the air.
Effects of the Okada menace on the community:
These bikemen operate in defiance to government regulations and both don’t seem bothered by their activities. They daily endanger pedestrians using the road.
Okadas are easy getaway vehicles when used to commit crimes like robbery on the road.
They cause traffic congestion, unsightly environment, aggressive people, head on collisions leading to serious accidents. Although their activities haven’t caused any major accidents recently, if not curtailed the state could witness several accidents in the future.
Okada is not only endangering their own lives but of their passengers.
The question now is can the government successfully put these bikemen who seem to only want to fend for themselves; while on the road in check or they will continue their illegal business and put many lives at risk?
