The Magodo Residents Association (MRA) have reportedly placed a ban on the use of commercial motorcyles in the estate as they are set to fully implement the use of bus shuttle services
Okada men in Magodo
According to the Nation, Magodo Residents Association (MRA) have placed a ban on commercial motorcyles popularly called "Okada" in the Magodo estate. The Okada Riders Association Magodo Unit (ORAMU) have staged a protest claiming they have a relationship of 25 years with the residents of the estate which have been mutually beneficial to both the residents and the motorcyclists.
According to the body, ORAMU has aided transportation in the estate as not all residents are car owners and even the car owners use them when their cars become faulty and they additionally provide adequate security in the estate.
It was gathered that there have been talks of a transition from the okada mode of transportation to bus shuttle services. Trouble started after MRA set up a committee comprising residents from the 21 zones to deliberate on what mode of transportation to adopt.
The committee, according to Mr Kunle Fashogbon, MRA Chairman, came out with a report that over 80 percent of residents preferred shuttle buses to okada .
In February, Fashogbon issued an ultimatum to ORAMU, that the okada uniform given to its members would be withdrawn by the end of March 2015.
But ORAMU chairman, Mr Abiodun Seyingbo, who met with Fashogbon towards the end of March, denied being aware of the ultimatum. He said he thought it was a rumour and pleaded on behalf of the okada riders for an extension. Fashogbon extended it till June 30, when ORAMU was banned from the estate. Okada transportation was then replaced with shuttle buses.
The development has yielded several bitter reactions from the Okada men who are scared of losing their only means of livelihood. Some of them who claim to have wives and kids have bitterly lamented about the ban on commercial motorcyles. The MRA seem bent on the new regulation and there will be no going back.