Everyone that has ever climbed motorcycles popularly called okada has something to say. In Ondo state, BARNABAS OLABISI writes that it’s a mixed tale.
The name Okada is usually synonymous with the common motorcycles found on roads across the country often used especially in many towns and villages. In the recent past, their activities have extended to the cities. They go with different appelations depending on the areas they operate such as ‘okada’, some call it ‘achaba’. Others call it ‘going’ and ‘tuketuke’, among other names.
Interestingly, their operations are the same all over the places. One major area of similarity which is akin to all of them is that they can be faster, flexible, rugged and able to link the hinterland that might ordinarily be difficult to be accessible by vehicles for several reasons.
Evolution of this mode of transportation
Looking at how and when these motorcycles came into being as a commercially-viable mode of transportation, one can easily say it all varies from one area to the other and probably the level of development in such places.
For example, looking at the South-west as a case study, one can easily adjudge that Lagos/Ogun states take the lead at using motorcycles for commercial purposes as far back as early 80s, most especially at the border towns for what analysts call ‘quick and sharp’ practices employed by smugglers at transporting goods and passengers from one destination to the other. While in other towns or states, the early 90s witnessed the peak of operations of okada and its riders, it was at the rural areas that motorcycles were been used for transportation especially areas with difficult terrains where agricultural produce need to be moved from the farms to the nearest available points for on-ward transportation to towns and urban cities. At such places and times, owners do not usually ask for money; rather, they ask the users to purchase fuel.
It’s shortcomings
thing however that has happened since the introduction of okada as commercial motorcycles is that a lot of controversies and short-comings have continued to trail their operations ranging from reckless driving, over-speeding, over-loading, among others, which have led to the death of both the rider and passenger. In mild cases, victims are maimed for life.
Although the government has officially recognised the operations of motorcycles operators with names like Amalgamated Commercial Motorcyclists Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) amongst others, yet their operations are same since they are all motorcyclists.
This is just as their operations are not different from those in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kogi, Kwara, Edo, Delta, Abuja, Nasarawa, Borno, Sokoto and other states. One trace easily noticed is that all them operate on same pedestrian.
More so, it was applauded that their operations have helped and facilitated smooth and fast transportation, even with the bad and poor roads network across the length and breadth of the country, they find it easy to manover their ways.
While in states like Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and some parts of Oyo early then, motorcycle riders were mainly older men, nowadays, however, they are younger men especially unemployed graduates from different higher institutions across the country.
How is is perceived
According to one of the riders who simply identified himself as Musibau Taofik, he said the introduction of motorcycle as a mode of transport has reduced unemployment rates amongst the youths in many parts of the country especially in the south-west.
Madam Abike Ehinola, a trader at the Erekesan market in Akure, Ondo state capital is of the views that motorcycle riding business has helped people to arrive at their destinations promptly, considering the rough nature of roads genetally.
She however noted with reservations that the havoc and menace caused by the riders are becoming extremely unbearable. She noted that many have been sent to their untimely grave due to the carelessness and recklessness nature of some riders whom she said are causing problems for the others.
She added further in dismay that some of the riders’ action always appear as if they have extra life when on top of the bikes especially with the rate at which most of them over-take fast-moving vehicles without a clear view of their front before embarking on such dangerous over-taking.
Some individuals who often use motorcycles commented on the activities of the riders. Blueprint gathered that although they appreciate the prompt and accessible nature of the mode of transportation, yet with a lot of reservations.
A regular user of this mode of transportation, Kehinde Ajayi, informed Blueprint that in some reported instances of armed robbery, painfully, he said motorcycle as one of the fastest means of transportation are engaged by the robbers to escape at the point of robbery.
He added further that the spontaneous reactions by the motorcyclists at any point of incident involving their fellow rider without taking into consideration whether the rider is at fault or not is of a serious concern.
Just recently, he noted that some irate Hausa youths set ablaze the Area Office of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos state over the seizure of their motorcycles, development, he said, does not augur well for a sane society. The Hausa youths who were mostly motorcycle riders within the council the LG area office located at Marine Beach on Thursday January 9, 2020 to protest the seizure of their colleagues motorcycle by some council officials over non payment of ‘riders permit and the situation turned into chaos.
Many and more situation like this are a common occurrence where the motorcycle riders always engage in across the length and breadth of the country.
However when contacted for reaction, a union official of one of the motorcyclists riders association in Ondo state, Banji Ojuola, noted that all the allegations against the members are nothing but to give them a bad name.
