Okada and Keke Now Banned on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, But Who Feeds the Family?

The Federal Government announced today, through the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Engr Olufemi Dare, that okada, keke marwa, trucks, hawking, and even animal grazing are now completely banned on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Dare made this known at a press briefing, stating that the road had been turned into a parking lot and a market, with shanties springing up at Marwa and other spots. He said over 100 motorcycles were already impounded last week, and that the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Oladipo, has directed Divisional Police Officers to increase presence along the route.

I have read the full report and one statement from Dare struck me. He said, "No Okada, is completely banned. No Keke Marwa, is completely banned. Tricycle, all manner of tricycles, they are banned on the coastal highway." He also warned that grazing of animals is banned, and that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has directed that the road could be closed entirely if violations continue. The government plans to deploy 40 coastal guards and is even considering replacing stolen clear-view fencing with blockwork and installing CCTV cameras, because about five kilometres of fencing and manhole covers along an 18-kilometre stretch have been stolen.

Now, let us be honest. This highway is a multi-billion naira project, and we cannot allow it to become a motor park. But when you ban okada and keke on a road that passes through communities where many of our people earn their daily bread from these same okada and keke, you must ask yourself: what is the alternative? Are we providing buses? Are we creating markets? Or are we just pushing poverty from one place to another? The two-week compliance window is ticking. I am not against order, but order without compassion is just another word for suffering. What do you think, should the ban stand as it is, or should government first provide alternatives before enforcing?