The implications of the Okada ban in Lekki Phase I

 It is no longer news that commercial motorcyclists, the men and a few women known as Okada riders, have been banned by the resident association of Lekki Phase I.

As displeased as they are over the development, they are choice-less in the matter. They simply have to comply, however, there are 5 possible ripple effects to the ban of Okada riders the community.

1. High rate of trekkers
Not everyone living in Lekki Phase I has a car and tricycles cannot get to everywhere motorcycles can get to, hence, the people without personal cars will spend more time trekking.

2. Increased crime rate in Lekki-Ikoyi axis
It is common knowledge that the factor most responsible for crime in every society in the world is ‘unemployment’. Some of the Okada riders who have technically been laid off, will resort to crime to make ends meet. And what easier victim, than those who kicked them out of their community.

3. Revenge-violence on residents of Lekki Phase I
Some of the banned Okada riders, who have violent and criminal tendencies, will obviously feel disgruntled with the development, which may result in them targeting residents of the Lekki Phas I community.

4. Increased number of tricycles a.k.a ‘Keke Napeps’ in Lekki Phase I
Anyone who drives in Lagos metropolis will know by now that Keke Napeps are much more worse than Okada riders. They are as irate and unruly as the banned motorcyclists, hence, it’s a case of discarding one evil and adopting another.

5. Police exploitation of Okada riders
Undoubtedly, there will be those die-hard Okada riders, who will seek to flout the ban, and still continue to operate in the Phase I community. Also, there will be policemen who would have recognised the opportunity from this and will certainly be on ground to exploit the situation by extorting the Okada riders.