Nigeria's Lagos city to ban motorbike taxis

Nigeria's business capital, Lagos, plans to ban motorbike and tricycle taxis - the city's most common forms of transport - from its major roads. The Lagos state government said the ban was as a result of deaths and disorderliness caused by motorbike taxis, locally referred to as "okadas", and motorised tricycle taxis, known as "keke napeps". It will take effect on 1 February and will be enforced on all major highways and bridges. It will be extended to other areas after an impact assessment is done. City official Gbenga Omotoso is quoted by local media as saying these vehicles will not be allowed in these areas of the city: Ikeja, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, Apapa, Surulere and Eti Osa.

Lagos State Government on Monday wielded the big stick against the menace of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) @jidesanwoolu @gbenga_omo #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/pIoy6RzGjz
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) January 27, 2020

Nigerians online have protested about the ban, with some saying motorbike taxis help them beat the city's notorious traffic jams. One singer tweeted that using an okada had saved him from missing several shows and flights:

Okada/Motorcycle has saved me several times from missing shows and flights due to heavy lagos traffic! If dem ban am, na the end be that o ðŸ˜©ðŸ˜©ðŸ˜©.... plenty show refunds ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚
— CLASSICAL BOY! (@Tclassic_MNE) January 27, 2020

lagos State banning Keke and Okada in key parts of the state means they aint ready to save the state from the Traffic malaise.
Opay been saving Lagosians from undue Traffic since i can remember. I don't even know what even informed this decision — AURAâ¤ï¸COOL (@TWEETORACLE) January 27, 2020

Why will the Lagos state government have to ban okada and keke knowing fully well that they are the only alternative to use during traffic. The lagos government has failed Lagosians . They have remove food from people mouth and increase the rate of poverty and unemployment ðŸ˜”ðŸ˜”ðŸ˜”
— ChubbyðŸ˜ (@Ednaarchii) January 27, 2020

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