Regarding the Federal Government's contemplation of a potential ban on the usage of commercial motorcycle, Nigerians have continued to voice their opinions.
As part of its plan to hinder terrorist activity in the nation, the Federal Government has previously stated that it was mulling a motorcycle ban.
The government's plan was one of the recommendations from the National Security Council meeting that took place on July 21 at the State House in Abuja.
It stated that investigations were underway, particularly to determine the relationship between motorcycles and mining, which they assume is funding the supply of weapons to terrorists.
The government justified its move by stating that it was necessary to protect the nation's security, although it added that it was mindful of the potential financial costs of the proposed resolutions, particularly the motorcycle prohibition.
In various regions of the nation, state government levels have implemented restrictions on the use of commercial motorcycles.
The state government of Lagos now forbids the use of commercial motorbikes in a number of the state's regions.
The June 1st prohibition in Lagos, which was strengthened by an earlier limitation on their operations in some areas of the state, was also motivated by security considerations.
The Lagos Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), Mr. Adenuga Opanuga, claimed that while commercial motorbikes have filled some holes, they have also introduced a number of problems.
Opanuga agreed with the Federal Government's idea about the motorbikes, but he suggested options to lessen the impact on regular people who rely on them to make ends meet.
Insufficient transportation options and a lack of suitable road infrastructure to connect new settlements and the hinterlands, he claimed, led to the increasing acceptance of commercial motorcycles, often known as Okadas.
According to Opanuga, their use for transportation and as a quick means to avoid traffic jams expanded because to their easy access to terrains that buses and other vehicles could not travel.
The chairman claimed that their acceptance and popularity were influenced by the declining national economy and power issues.
Opanuga claimed that the disadvantages of the motorcycles "creeping in unannounced" outweighed the benefits.
He said they became perfect tools for high rates of crime and criminality including robbery, kidnapping, insecurity, ritual killings, influx of criminal foreigners, among others.
According to him, riders' carelessness and disregard for social and traffic laws led to an increase in fatal crashes and serious injuries while also endangering other road users.
According to Opanuga, the suggestion to outlaw riders was appropriate because they had started to burden the country.
“But, before the government takes action, they also have a role to play in terms of making the economy conducive for people that want to do other skillful work.
“If the light is stable, a lot of skillful workers will go back to their workshops. The artisans, hairdressers, mechanics, and the others will all go back.
ALSO READ: FG Considers Nationwide Ban Of Okada, Mining Activities To Curb Insecurity
“It is like a two-edged sword; while the government is thinking of ban, they should also be thinking of the enabling environment for people to work.
“They should also make sure that there is enough publicity and understanding of what the government wants to do.
“We cannot say all of them are totally bad but many are using an undue advantage of the flexibility of riding Okada to do evil and harm.
“And so, we will support the ban, but at the same time, the government should look inward to make sure that other areas are open for the people to exploit,” he said.
The Akinrogun of Iwaya land, Chief Bolanle Akinyemi, recommended the Federal Government to combat instability by identifying and punishing the country's supporters of terrorism.
He said that doing this would stop the militants' access to funds and lessen their threat.
Despite how noble the intention may be, the chief claimed that a ban on commercial motorcycles will worsen misery and poverty.
“Banning of the okada would cut off the supply of logistics and source of funds to the terrorists, but in the grand scheme of things, it would have a long lasting effect to the populace. “Banning Okada would have a negative effect on the economy as it would add to the hardship of the people and always add to poverty in the nation,” he said.
In order to combat poverty and lower crime rates, Akinyemi encouraged the government to expand funds for the education sector and create jobs.
Almost being lynched by motorcycle riders, Mr. Fatai Igho, a commercial bus driver who travels the Sabo-Yaba to Iyana Ipaja, remembered.
He urged the administration to implement the plan in order to protect people and property.
Igho said “they act as lords of the road and ride recklessly, if you hit them, it is trouble, if they hit you, they will still gather to attack the innocent driver”.
Chuks Akaeze, a commercial motorbike driver in Agege, requested the authorities to employ technology to find rebels who are lurking in bushes and abusing motorcycles.
However, Akaeze argued that people who use motorcycles for family-supporting, lawful purposes shouldn't be punished for the transgressions of criminals.
He urged the government to control them by establishing a database and dismissing those who don't want to join unions.
Both Mr. Folabi Ogundipe, who lives in the Ogudu neighborhood of Lagos, and Mrs. Busola Lawal, a Sogunle resident, provided their opinions on the idea.
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