>
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 governorship election in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, has reacted to the ban on commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke Napep) in some parts of Lagos State.
Some social media users had wondered why the opposition party stakeholder was yet to comment on the ban which many Lagosians are kicking against. Many were seen stranded at bus-stops on Monday morning while others had to trek long distances.
Okada riders protesting against the ban also had a bloody clash with police in Ijora area of the state.
But in a tweet on Monday, Jimi Agbaje, finally spoke, saying that the reasons given by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration for the ban were understandable, but that the ban will have “negative ripple effects on the economy with so many already out of work & cause inconvenience to commuters.”
He urged the government to lift the ban on formal operators like ORide, Gokada and Max.
His words: “A Lagos City state for the 21st century needs proper planning. The reasons for the ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) and motor tricycles (Keke marwa) by the Lagos State Government are noted. But what about the people?
“My view is that such outright ban on major routes will be counterproductive and difficult to enforce. It will also have negative ripple effects on the economy with so many already out of work & cause inconvenience to commuters.
“The formal operators that have thus far regulated themselves should be allowed to continue, with stringent regulation & enforcement of traffic laws.”