Okada riders back on Lagos roads

The restriction of commercial motorcycle riders to 475 roads in Lagos State by the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration in 2012 was believed to be an act of cruelty by some residents, though reasonable Lagosians who knew the extent of the recklessness of some of these riders, lauded the governor’s decision.
In those mad old days on Lagos roads, majority of the patients in Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital along Ikorodu road were victims of okada accidents while private bone-setters and hospitals also treated many unfortunate Lagosians. It was like an epidemic raging through the city.
Even the unwary visitor to the city may end up being knocked down by a speeding motorcycle who cares less about other road users. It got to a level where casualty figures started rising and residents started complaining.  At this point, the government swung into action.
So many controversies came up after the restriction but the government stuck to its guns. While people blamed joblessness, bad roads, the dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian economy and even some of the policies of the Fashola administration which allegedly frustrated artisans, others pointed to how the okada riders have become the kings of Lagos roads and a law onto themselves. So bad has it become that we now have okada robbers, that is, those who use motorcycles to rob.
The fear of these reckless riders, some of them high on drugs, is the beginning of wisdom as many times both the rider and passenger may be involved in accidents and end up in the hospital or morgue.
After the restrictions were fully enforced, a level of reason descended on the city and this was enjoyed until the 2015 general elections when the rules were relaxed and impunity began to once more creep in.
After a few months of this madness, the present administration, through the Secretary to the Lagos State, Mr Tunji Bello government in July 2015 met with okada unions and gave them an ultimatum of 21 days to go back to their proper routes and stop plying the restricted routes, but the okada riders have refused to heed the warning.
Claiming joblessness and Boko Haram attacks in northeast Nigeria, some of them, especially those that came recently are so daring that they will even quarrel with whosoever warns them to take things easy.
Unlike during the restriction, okada riders now dot every road and even highway in the metropolis while those who should enforce the law look helpless to do so.
This impunity cannot be allowed to continue. Accidents involving okada have started happening and we must not wait until it gets to an epidemic stage before calling a halt. We should be careful about playing politics with this sad situation. The BRT, LAGBUS and ferry services are great ideas aimed at solving the transportation problems of Lagosians, just as residents eagerly await the completion of the light rail project but we must ensure the safety and wellbeing of the citizens if they are to enjoy these transport modes.
Governor Ambode must wield the big stick because he the chief security officer of the state and will be held responsible for any mishap caused by these reckless and lawless group of people.