Lagos Okada ban: Gridlock persists, commuters stranded, trek long distances on day three

In spite of the ban and restriction of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) by the Lagos State Government, the usual traffic congestion in the metropolis continued on Monday.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos reports that there was no significant difference in the traffic situation in the metropolis, compared to when the operators were not banned.

NAN reports that the gridlock along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi-Isolo and some other parts of the state continued.

The usual gridlock at Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Dopemu, Cement, Ile Zik, Ikeja Along, Bolade Oshodi, Under Bridge and other places persisted in spite of the ban and restriction of `Okada’ and `Keke’.

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The corridors, which had been known for unrestrained operations of motorcycles and tricycles, were devoid of such operations from Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi

The security operatives comprising the Police, Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps and officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority were on ground arresting the erring motorists.

Some of the operatives were armed while others held tear gas and stick to clampdown on recalcitrant motorcycle and tricycle operators and motorists..

A large number of commuters were stranded at Kola, Ile-Epo, Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Dopemu bus stops, seeking vehicles to convey them to their offices on the first working day after the ban and restriction.

While many were grumbling and complaining over the ban of Okada and Keke in most bus stops, some others resorted to trekking from Iyana-Ipaja to Ikeja and Oshodi.