-Laments low patronage outside Lagos market
Worried about the fate of their business in Lagos State, commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders are relocating to other states to keep their heads above water following the implementation of the ban on motorcycle and tricycle operations in major areas of Lagos.
Recall that the state government had recently proscribed the operations of Okada and tricycle riders in Apapa LGA, Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LGA, Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA.
Others are Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo LCDA, Ojodu LCDA, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.
A Lagos motorcyclist, Aliyu Zamdayu, who just arrived Abuja narrated to TheNewsGuru(TNG), how himself, a hundred others contributed monies to transport their motorcycles from Lagos to the northern part of Nigeria, where they further dispatched to states considered as fair for the continuation of their transport business.
Aliyu, who is from Adamawa, commenced his business as usual in Wumba village, situated in Lokogoma, Abuja when he had a contact with our correspondent.
Speaking on the ban of motorcycles in Lagos, Aliyu told our correspondent who engaged him for a transport service valued at 100 naira that similar transaction would have earned him 500 Naira in Lagos.
Expressing himself in Pidgin English, Aliyu said “Oga, if no be this Okada wey them ban for Lagos, as I carry you so na 500 Naira I for collect; this 100 Naira wey you dey price me no fit do anything”
“For Lagos, I dey work for Obalende, Victoria Island and I dey make money well! Well, this Abuja nor be like Lagos”
Asked how he arrived in Abuja, he disclosed that he alongside hundred others who had fears ahead of the implementation of the ban contributed monies, rented a truck that helped transport them to Abuja.
He disclosed that other motorcyclists relocated to Kano, Bauchi, Gombe while some settled for highly populated areas in Nasarawa communities adjoining the FCT.
Another Okada rider, Musa (refuses to disclose his surname), who is from Yobe State, said he left Lagos because he is afraid to lose his motorcycle which he bought at an exorbitant price.
Musa told TNG that he acquired his motorcycle under a higher purchase plan and he is yet to complete the payment.
“I thought of going back to my village but I know nobody will pay me money there. I will stay in Abuja for a while and see how the market is, if it is good, then I will stay here.
“But, since I came to this Abuja, business has been bad, I don’t see money as I do in Lagos”
A resident in Wumba village, Phemmila Williams, said there has been a surge in the number of motorcyclists in the area, he disclosed that most of them are yet to get proper shelter and as such they loiter on streets in the evening and sleep in makeshifts anywhere they find comfort.
“Okada riders living in this community have increased, the majority of them are new in this area, I heard about a truck coming to drop some of them. Our only fear is that the larger they become the more our safety is under risk” Says Williams.