22 October, 2012

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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