Reminiscent of a line from one of 9ice’s song in his classic album, ‘Gongo Aso’, where he sings, ‘have you been to mortuary, you will thank God for your liberty, go to Igbobi, seeing is believing…’ Governor Fashola has tasked critics of his administration’s recent ban on the operation of commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as okada in some parts of the state, to pay a visit to hospitals and emergency wards to see the plight of those who have lost their limbs, arms, children or those who have been made orphans by the recklessness of okada riders.
The governor stated this when he spoke on the topic ‘Freedom from fear’ in relation to law and order in Lagos state.
According to the Governor, in less than two decades, okadas have become so prominent so much that they are now a phenomenon – a situation which he said should not have been allowed in the first place. He stressed the role of elites in the proliferation of okadas as he blamed them for encouraging their staff and employees to start taking okadas so as to run errands quickly.
“The only way to stop the business from flourishing is by not patronizing them. It is a business that if the income from it dwindles, the business proposition of those in it will change”, he said.
Citing an overview of various facets of life in the State, Governor Fashola explained that he had taken it upon himself to show leadership by example; by shunning the use of siren to escape from the traffic as well as always taking it upon himself to fight against any attempt by very Important Personalities to block roads.
Fashola called on the people of Lagos state to be ready to fight against behaviours and conducts that are hazardous to healthy and secure existence.
