Ban on Okada: Courier Operators Ask for Waiver

Courier operators under the umbrella of Association of Nigeria Courier Operators (Anco) have appealed to Babatunde Fashola, governor of Lagos state for a waiver on ban on the operations of motorcyclists otherwise known as okada in some parts of the state, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.
Anco said that no fewer than one million jobs would be at risk if the state government goes ahead with the blanket ban on okada on designated routes because it will affect their operation which is based on timely delivery of services.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that the state government had from September 1, barred okada riders from the entire Lagos central business district area on Lagos Island; Ozumba Mbadiwe (from Bonny Camp – First Roundabout) on Victoria Island; Awolowo Road, Bourdillion Road, Gerrard Avenue, Alexander Road, Osborne Road, Alfred Rewane Road, in Ikoyi; and CMS.
The okada riders were also barred from plying the entire stretch of Funsho Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed Way; Jibowu, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo, Idumota, Jibowu to Ikorodu Town Roundabout, Third Mainland Bridge (from the old toll gate to Obalende), Apapa-Oshodi Expressway (excluding the service lanes) and all the network of roads around Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa; Awolowo Way; Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way and Maryland Junction.
Toyin Olufade, Anco president, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the association has applied for a waiver on the ban of okada because of the sensitive nature of courier business, as operators of the courier industry will find it very difficult to operate without motorcycles.
Olufade noted that courier business was grounded last week following the enforcement of the new regulations, as they await the outcome of their application for a waiver.
Also speaking, Ike Ibekwe, who is the chairman and chief executive officer of Ike Ibekwe & Sons Nigeria Limited, said that those who would be rendered jobless include commercial motorcyclists, motorcycle spare parts dealers, motorcycle importers, dispatch riders and motorcycle components manufacturers.
For this reason, Ibekwe appealed to governor Fashola, who had already banned Okada operation on major streets and roads to reconsider his stand, just as he advised those backing the move to drop the idea in the interest of the people and the country.