Okada riders dare LASG, vandalise vehicles
Hundreds
of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, on Monday took to the streets
in Lagos to protest against their restriction within the metropolis.
Some of the okada riders protested at Isolo and Mushin
areas of the state, while others stormed the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane along
Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway.
The protesters allegedly vandalised
five buses, prompting passengers to scamper for safety.
It was gathered that the protesters
also stormed the Eledie area of Somolu and allegedly attacked some police
officers.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the
Motorcycle Owners and Riders in Lagos State (MOALS), Tijani Perkis, disclosed
that the union would be meeting with the state governor, Babatunde Fashola over
the issue.
He said that the dialogue was meant to
prevail on the government to relax the restriction on their activities, which
has prevented okada riders from taking major routes in the state.
Okada riders are
being banned from taking over four hundred routes in the state, with an
estimated two million riders expected to be affected.
Meanwhile in addition to okada riders, thousands of residents are
also being affected by the controversial move by the government.
Some residents who have relied on okada for various reasons now have to trek
long distances where other means of transportation are not sufficient or
readily available.
Other commuters are seen waiting
endlessly on long queues for tricycle operators.
So far, the State Task Force on the
Environment and Special offences unit said it has destroyed over three thousand
seized motorcycles.
Source:
Daily Times
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