By Joshua Yousouph
Commercial motorcycle riders popularly called Okada riders in Apapa and its environs have defiled the Lagos State Government’s ban in some Local Government Areas in the state.
Even though the ban affects Apapa and its environs, checks by Shipping Position Daily reveal that the commercial motorcycle riders have refused to vacate Mile2 and Apapa and environs.
This is even as investigation by our correspondent confirmed that personnel of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have also compromised in the enforcement of the ban.
Recall that the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in May issued a total ban on Okada riders’ operations in six Local Government Areas, which are: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Surulere. He had also directed that security operatives should enforce the proscription order in the affected areas which commenced on June 1.
However, our correspondent who visited Mile 2 last week observed that a large number of commercial motorcycle riders are still plying the Mile 2- Tin Can expressway with little or no resistance from security agencies. Despite the heavy construction going on at Mile 2, the Mile 2 bridge has been a haven for Okada riders where they carry passengers going to either Apapa or back to Second Rainbow and Cele Bus stop axis, towards Oshodi. Some of the okada riders also go as far as Toyota bus stop and back to Mile 2.
Shipping Position Daily observed that the almost completed Mile 2 end of the Apapa-Oshodi expressway which has been under construction, has now been taken over by Okada riders and articulated vehicles, and commercial buses; all moving towards Oshodi or Tin Can port. They are now on the service lane.
Also, hawkers of petroleum product vendors known as “black market” vendors are seen along the newly constructed road selling petrol and diesel to commercial motorcycles and trucks.
Further findings by our correspondent revealed that despite multiple Police checkpoints along the Apapa-Mile 2 axis, only a few motorcycles are intercepted by the Police. It was also gathered that okada riders whose motorcycles are seized by Police operatives pay the sum of N10,000 to get them back.
In a chat with a rider who simply identified himself as ‘Musa’ at Mile 2, he disclosed that okada riders still conveniently carry passengers from Mile 2 to Sun Rise bus stop, without being disturbed by any security operatives.
When asked why they still stay at Mile 2 without being disturbed, Musa told Shipping Position Daily that the riders do pay bribes on daily bases to the Police, this is apart from the statutory tickets they purchase from the Local government and the various unions.
Musa also informed that the Police co-opt some area boys who help to collect the money. He also noted that riders who refuse to pay are held down or arrested until they succumb to the biddings of the Police. He said those who fall into the hands of the Police Task Force pay N10,000 immediately to get their motorcycle released.
“We still carry passengers from Mile 2 to Sun Rise. Nobody will disturb between Mile 2 and Sun Rise as long as you have bought your tickets and given the Police their money. They only disturb those who refuse to give the Police ‘boys’ money. If you go beyond Sun Rise and you get arrested by the Police Task Force, you will be asked to pay N10,000 to get your Okada back” Musa revealed.
Also speaking, the Tin Can Chapter Public Relations Officer of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Mr Clinton Okoro affirmed that Okada riders still ply Mile 2 to Tin Can undisturbed.
He informed that some riders bypass the Police posts after Sun Rise bus stop and manoeuvre their way through the streets from ‘Berger Yard’ down to Coconut. He added that there are still some adamant commercial riders who operate in the heart of Apapa.
Okoro lamented that some freight forwarders are forced to patronize these Okada riders because there are few buses and the only access route to Tin Can from Mile 2 is choked up with traffic due to the road construction.
He told our correspondent that, “We all supported the ban on okada, but what we are looking at is how free that axis is. Freight forwarding is all about timing. the more the goods stay in the port, the more demurrage it accumulates and you must pay. This is the reason some freight forwarders are still taking the risk of patronising the okada riders.
Explaining further, Okoro said, “what they (Okada Riders) do in Mile 2 now is to take you to Sun Rise. Some even take you to Coconut bus stop, but they will take you inside the streets through Berger Yard to get you to Coconut and you cannot blame people who are trying to meet up with time. We can still see Okada from Tin Can Second gate to Apapa, although they are scanty.
“There are few buses in Mile 2 and there is a delay. Those working on the construction of the road didn’t even consider creating an access route where there will be free movement for motorists. You are supposed to get to Tin Can from Mile 2 within 15 minutes, but now you will spend more than 45 minutes to almost an hour on that road.”
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When asked about the alleged compromise on the part of the Police, he said, “although I have not seen Police extort money from the riders, I believe there will always be a compromise in enforcing the ban”.
On his part, the General Secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Mr. Frank Obiekezie told Shipping Position Daily that the Police is using the ban on Okada as an avenue to make money into their private pockets. He also lampooned passengers who patronize the commercial riders, adding that they embolden the riders to be adamant as far as the ban is concerned.
According to him, the riders will no longer ply the Mile 2- Tin Can road if there are no passengers to patronize them. Obiekezie also noted that the enforcement ban cannot be effective until the Mile 2- Tin Can road is fully-completed.
“I think the compromise is coming more from people who patronise the Okada riders in the first place. At Mile 2, they have gradually returned back. With the congestion caused along the Mile 2 to Tin Can road due to the construction of the road, the Okada ban may not be effective until the road is free. It is based on demand and supply. If the roads are free, many people will not like to take Okada”, he said.
According to him, “from Mile 2, you can get Okada to Sunrise, but you cannot get one from Sunrise to Coconut. I don’t know why they are avoiding Sunrise and Coconut possibly because of the Police Station and Posts around that axis. Some Okada riders are still operating at Apapa. I think their limit is between Second gate and Coconut. From Second gate you can see shuttle buses to Eleganza, then you trek to any other place”.
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