Lagosians groan as transport fare surges amid ‘Okada’ ban

The recent ban on the use of commercial motorcycles, otherwise called ‘Okada’ in some parts of Lagos has led to a surge in transportation costs, a development that could worsen the standard of living for its residents.

The ban which took effect on June 1 in six local government areas- Apapa, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa and Ikeja, has left many commuters with two options either to wait in long queues at Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) loading stations or take commercial buses which have more than doubled their fares.

Chioma Onuh, a teacher complained in an interview with BusinessDay that she now spends N1,000 instead of N700 to her workplace in Apapa from Agbara.

She also said the development has worsened the traffic situation as people who used to ride bikes now have to drive,” Chioma said.

Also, Musa Abubakar, a banker and a resident of Orile Iganmu said he had to get up earlier for work, not because of traffic but because of the long queue he would encounter at his bus stop.

“I waited nearly 15 minutes at the bus stop on Thursday to get on a bus. The bus driver usually begged us to board, but now we have to beg and struggle,” Abubakar lamented.

Transportation is an essential part of human activity and takes a significant share from one’s income.

Read also: Okada ban: Police arrest 16, impound 140 motorcycles

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerians incurred N40.2 trillion as household consumption expenditure in 2019, out of which 56.7 percent was spent on food items, followed by transportation which was second highest with 6.4 percent, while health and education came next with 6.1 percent and 6.0 percent respectively.

But with declining incomes, rising transport costs have eaten more in the pockets of people. The increase reflects the rising cost of living and worsening living standard, as average per capita income (which has been falling) has not kept up with the cost, said Moses Ojo, a Lagos-based economic analyst.

Data from the NBS also show that commuters’ average fare for bus journeys in Lagos increased month-on-month by 10 percent to N458.8 in April 2022.

While across the country, it increased by 6.39 percent to N536.4 in March 2022 to N570.6 in April 2022.

“On my way from work on Thursday, there was a shortage of buses, leaving passengers stranded. Cele to Apapa used to cost N150, but now it costs N250, and Cele-Apapa used to cost N300, but now it costs N400,” Charles Okafor, bricklayer said.

Last month, the Lagos State government had given notice of its intention to ban the use of Okada as a means of transportation in some parts of the state, citing security issues.

This is the state government’s second attempt in this administration to prohibit the usage of Okada.

Ahead of the enforcement of this latest ban, Gbenga Omotosho, the state commissioner for information and strategy, on Tuesday, assured residents that “there was no cause to worry as necessary measures have been put in place by the law enforcement agencies to forestall any disturbance.’’