By Ebriku John Friday
Some of the people I spoke with today said, though they don’t have cars they prefer the serenity they have experienced due to the strike by Okade riders in Mpape, calling on authorities in FCT to ban them completely.
They added that they preferred the trekking than the recklessness of the Okada riders.
One lady said most times she pee on herself when trying to Cross the road because of the fear of being knocked down by what she said ‘I don’t care’ Okada riders. But that today she crossed the road seamlessly. It then doned on her that we could do without them on our streets
Another one said their strike today has given them fresh air on the road. For her they often spark up unnecessary dust and make the street look rowdy adding that Okada riders can smell.
“Though I trekked some distance before I got vehicle it saved me N100 and I am happy for it. I really wish the situation remains like this. Also today I crossed the road without fear of being knocked down by one I don’t care Okader rider. And I didn’t pee on myself. Do you know that I finally saw one of my friend we have not seen for months while we were trekking?”, a lady who preferred to be called simply Gift said.
One Mike who do business at Bannex Mall at Wuse 2, said, “I got to the shop late, but I discovered there was no difference. I saw people trekking and going about their normal business plan with the usual rush and unnecessary traffic jam. Honestly if you ask they should continue with their strike, let me save my money and change my time of going out for my business.”
Another person I spoke with said, “You see when anytime I am on Okada, I keep shouting to caution them. Their speed and lack of obedience to traffic rule on the road frightens me. Make them ban them abeg.”
The story from people I spoke with individually is different, except for a friend who said, having Okada riders around is not a bad idea but that they should be properly organised. These Okada guys help us get out of our places within time. But as they strikes today, the environment looked cool.”
