How Okada, Tricycle May Finally Be Eased Out Of Lagos

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

It was indeed a mix of shock and tears for motorcycle and tricycles operators after the Lagos State Government rolled out new plans on mass transport initiative tagged First Mile and Last Mile mobility solution that is expected to become operational by July 2020.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the message was very clear to operators, who realised that it may be the end of their businesses in the State as was declared by the State’s Transport Commissioner, Frederick Oladeinde, who said, the new initiative is meant to replace Okada and tricycle.
Mr. Oladeinde said: “Okada and tricycle are not part of the State’s transport architecture, adding that they constitute nuisance on the roads and cause high rate of accidents and crimes”.
“We have identified 285 last-mile routes within the seven bus reform initiative zones across Lagos. We have developed bus specifications and shared same with potential bus manufacturers. We expect these to be rolled out in the next two months” Oladeinde said.
He also noted that the Lagos State Government has inaugurated 37 roads and carried out repairs and rehabilitation of more than 354 others.
Oladehinde added that ongoing and uncompleted projects inherited from past administrations would be completed to improve the living standard of Lagosians.
The Commissioner said that the planned repairs on the bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works are vital to the safety of the people of Lagos.
He explained that necessary repair works have already been carried out on all alternative routes around the construction site, making them motorable to ease motorists’ movement during the construction period.
There has been reactions over the decision to banned Okada and tricycles in the State due the social implications such decision will cause many families who depend on the business to survive.Some said that it will reduce the rate of crime and accidents in the State while others said that the Government was insensitive to effect of such decision on some lagosians.