Analysing the Ban; MY STAND ON LAGOS OKADA AND MARWA BAN.

MY EXPERIENCE ... I have been indoor since the commencement of the ban and this prevented me from writing on what I didn't or haven't experienced but today 4th February, 2020, I woke up so early due to the News I received concerning the effect of the ban on the transport system and left the house around 5:27am. Normally, Marwa usually convey people from my area to Ikeja but due to the ban, we couldn't get any until a good Samaritan took my friend and I to Ikeja (risky right?) but we were running late so we needed a means to get to Ikeja where we could get the BRT to where we were heading to. We left Ikeja about 6:20am and I got to my final destination around 9:10am despite waking up early to get a vehicle. Usually I leave the house 7:00am and get to my destination latest 9:25am whenever there's traffic but the traffic congestion today caused the delay. MY STAND The ban of Okada and Marwa in Lagos is a very good policy which will go a long way in making Lagos a city to be emulated by all if many things has been worked on before the ban. On one hand, the influx of people "Hausas, Fulanis, Cameroonians, Ninja Republicans etc" into Lagos State and Southwest as a whole is so alarming, people coming in to the southwestern part of the country without any means of identification, will bring bikes from their own area or do gateman for about 6months and then buy bikes to use for commercial purposes is not good for those living within the region. Increased crime rate, committing ones life to the hands of unknown people with many having no value for life and with the rate of kidnappings and killings now, the ban of Okada is a good move and decision by the Government who is cautious of the security and well-being of her citizens. On the hand, the ban has not been so good, below are the highlights; Firstly, the modern day bikes such as Opay, Go-Okada, Max.com, Oride etc shouldn't be banned together but can simply be regulated, looking at the huge amount which has been invested into the business (not a good message to foreign investors planning to come to Nigeria to invest) and also the employment which the modern day bikes has given to many. Secondly, there should have been provision of Taxis or cars in places where Marwa was to be banned even before the ban because unavailability of a means of transport has made life uneasy for many living and working in Lagos. Furthermore, the ban has caused an increase in hold up because many people who uses the commercial transport system before have now been indirectly forced to go out with their vehicles and this has caused increase of vehicles on the road thereby increasing the road congestion. Finally, what is the fate of many who depend on Okada or Marwa for means of livelihood? Has the Government provided employment for them? Has there been a plan for these ones who also have dependants on this job? What will the Government do about it? It's good to note that increase in crime rate as a result of this ban can't be overlooked because an hungry man is an angry and desperate man, don't let us forget that these people have responsibilities which won't become lesser because of the ban. In conclusion, I understand the Government Policy but adequate plans and preparations before the ban would have made this development worth celebrating but the good policy has now been outweighed by the pains the policy has inflicted on many (both riders and passengers). It's so sad how we claim to love and be responsible by mouth and not by actions. Our hope is that the Government hastily do what should have been done before the ban and make life easier for all. Thanks. By Olabanji Joel A Nurse, A writer and A Socialist