Lockdown Ease: Motorcyclists seek review of restriction 

By Edith Igbokwe

Motorcycle operators in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area have appealed to the government to lift the restriction on their operation during the lockdown ease.

While other commercial transportation systems were allowed to operate with some guidelines as the federal government eased the lockdown, the Lagos State Government has totally banned the operation of motorcycles popularly known as Okada in every part of the state as a measure against the spread of coronavirus considering the closeness of okada riders and their passengers.

Based on the total restriction of their operation, okada riders have continued to express difficulties in making ends meet since many of them have no other means to provide for their families’ daily needs.

Some of the Okada riders at Airport Junction, Mafoluku-Oshodi axis who shared their plight with ECHONEWS appealed to the government to allow them operate with stringent guidelines like other commercial transporters.

Some others want the government to provide them another means such as giving them tricycles at higher purchase so that they could be engaged in the business.

Desmond Ngerem lamented: “We are in hopeless situation. The restriction and the pandemic disease are worrisome. We need the government to provide us with an alternative means of providing for our families such as switching to another business so that we can keep body, soul and spirit moving.”

Lucky Edem stated: “We will accept the restrictions as sacrifice but we need the government to support us with mini bus or tricycle (Maruwa) at a hire purchase to be paid gradually.

“Presently, we are not doing anything to feed our family; we are just putting heads together to get another means of survival.”