Kunle Adelabu
Chairman of the Lagos State Motorcycle Association, Ikorodu branch, Mr Kayode Jimoh Pashoku, popularly called ‘Jendor’, on Monday, May 4, 2020 led other chieftains of the association and members to enforce the government’s directive suspending okada riders from operating in any part of the state in the next two weeks.
The directive was part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts in preventing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in various communities.
Our reporter saw the enforcement team arresting some commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called ‘Okada’ riders in local parlance, along Igbogbo road in Ikorodu.
At Anibaba junction, the association chairman himself arrested a commercial motorcyclist who claimed to be a soldier.
Investigation by our reporter who went out to monitor the level of compliance revealed that a large number of Okada riders in Ikorodu Local Government, Igbogbo/Bayeku and Ikorodu West Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) complied with the directive except for some that were seen operating.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Pashoku said that many of those Okada riders that were seen operating were either police or army officers, noting that this was the reason it seemed as if the members of the association are not abiding with the government’s directive.
He, therefore, called on the state government to look into the actions of the police and army officers that are using their motorcycles to engage in commercial operation.
Pashoku said that members of the association are ready to comply with the two weeks suspension of operation as directed by the government.
“We are moving from one road to the other to enforce government’s directive suspending Okada operations in the state.
“The governor did not say that we are banned from operating, he only suspended our activities for two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID – 19.
“We have been called and instructed by our Union’s State Chairman, MC Musiliu Oluomo, that we should tell our members not to work as directed by the government for two weeks. And we have done as directed.
“lf you observe closely, you will see that our people have been complying by not operating except for some disobedient ones whom we have apprehended.
“We have been outside since 5am moving around to ensure that our people comply with government’s directive. We started the monitoring and enforcement exercise from Lagos road and we have been able to arrest four Okada riders and impounded their bikes.
“They will not be given back their motorcycles until after two weeks”.
However, he pleaded with the state government to come to the aid of his members whom he said have been unable to work and feed their families for over a month due to the lockdown coupled with the latest suspension of their activities.
Pashoku commended the government and individuals like Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Hon. Babajimi Benson and Hon. Sanai Agunbiade for extending their hands of fellowship to their members.
“We are appealing to the state government to assist our members with food because they have not been able to work for over a month now.
“Government should be able to provide relief in form of money and food items through various channels to our members and also ask the council chairmen in Ikorodu division to provide for us.
“We thank Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Hon. Babajimi Benson and Hon. Sanai Agunbiade for supporting our members with palliatives. Although, the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government had also given palliatives but he did not consider motorcycle riders”, he said.
Pashoku also stated that the association has been educating members on the importance of using facemasks, adding that they are going to enforce the facemasks order whenever they resume operation.
“That’s (facemasks) now part of every living individual. It’s now compulsory for every member to wear facemask. It is for our own good since the virus is an infectious disease that we can contact when speaking with with a carrier. This is why the use of facemask is good.
“Okada riders are in support of the use of facemask and other measures stipulated by the state government in combating the pandemic”.
Mr Raheem Bello, an okada rider in Ikorodu, also told THE IMPACT that they are ready to stay at home for two more weeks in adherence to the governor’s directive suspending okada operation.
“Our leaders have told us that the government want us to stay for two more weeks more at home so that the virus will not spread and we are not only ready to comply but will also assist the leadership of our association in enforcing the suspension in Ikorodu.
“We are ready to abide with the ban but government needs to provide support for us to keep our souls and minds together and that of our families too”, he pleaded.
Fatai Ogunbanwo, an Okada rider also operating in lkorodu, also assured that they are ready to comply with the government’s directive.
While stating that all measures that were stipulated by the government are for the benefit of the citizenry, Fatai re-echoed the request by his colleagues for intervention from the government for riders who are affected by the lockdown and the current suspenson.
