Okada riders are rather boisterous, arrogant, loud and downright irritating on the road. They pay little attention to the traffic code and road safety is not at the top of their priority. For many people, they are the scourge of the city and their activities must be regulated.
Some have dubbed them derogatory names like, ‘an unfortunate eyesore’ and ‘necessary nuisance’. Others have employed more lurid and offensive adjectives to describe them. However, is this all justified or are these opponents merely riding on a wave of hysteria?
Most people are adamant that Okada riders are responsible for the sporadic increase in the rate of accidents and hazards on our roads. Whilst the Emergency Hospital at Goderich have seen its fair share of Okada victims, the generally cascaded statistics on Okada accidents is merely anecdotal. A more empirical data, carefully collated, will help resolve this doubt. What is clear though, is that this phenomena is probably here to stay. If it is, then perhaps the question that needs to be addressed is not how we totally eradicate Okadas from our city, but how we manage and contain this booming industry, within the remits of the law.
There are thousands of commuters who argue that the recent onslaught on Okada riders have a class bias. They make the point that those with seemingly the loudest voice on this issue have probably never travelled on Okada and are unlikely to do so in the future. They feel marginalized in this rather crucial debate and they make the case that their voices are being drowned by those who are slightly better at articulating their views.
The recent spate between the Okada riders and the police clearly affords the government an opportunity to address these concerns more comprehensively and to map out in more strategic ways, how taxis, Poda podas and pedestrians can co-exist peacefully within our streets of Freetown. Surely, the riotous conduct by a minority of riders hardly reflects the broad demeanor of all Okada riders. No doubt, this is clear evidence that despite the outward ‘macho’ stature of Okada riders, these crop of young people are extremely inarticulate in expressing their views in a civil and non aggressive way.
Whilst it is true that some of the riders find compliance with traffic regulations near impossible, It is equally easy to gloss over the fact that a large percentage of these riders are semi literate. Sometimes, their failure to comply with the rules is the result of ignorance and poor enlightenment, rather than a deliberate attempt to negate the law. Some of these guys never went to school. Others are a by-product of the war, thrust into a big city, several miles away from their tiny villages, with little or no life skills to survive. The odds against them in seeking gainful employment is enormous.
There are those who would say, ‘’send them back to their villages.” Well, that’s not worked in the last ten years and the chances of it working now is zilch.The truth about the survival of Okada is that, as long as the roads remain incredibly congested and clogged, the need for Okadas will continue to overwhelm us. These robustly built machines will take you through the most ragged of terrains, up the most un-navigated mountains and they are quick at shuttling between points A and B. Compared to taxis, they are not the cheapest option. Some are three times more expensive. Okadas, however, have a niche market which it serves and in its absence, there is a void with economic repercussions.
Certainly, the economic downside of our daily congested roads have not been fully quantified. Our roads are not just simply irritating, they are economically strangulating. Try shuttling between Kissy Road and the Cotton Tree around 5.00pm on a week day, you’ll prove the point I make. It is hopeful news that the roads now being constructed will ease the artery of congestion on our main roads. Until then, Okadas are the only machines that can keep commuters moving from one point to the next.
Now what’s my gripe? The Okada riders are the butt of society and you can bet it isn’t a privilege position to occupy. They do not get the respect they deserve. Is this phenomena unique to Sierra Leone ? No! Do Okadas need to be regulated? You bet they do! Do they need to take road safety measures more seriously? Certainly! However, the economic role they play in the Sierra Leone community is hugely underscored. They are no less important than our taxi drivers. They deserve an iota of respect for self industry.
At the moment there seems to be a lot of subtle politics being played by the taxi drivers Union. Are they happy to see Okada riders expelled from the city? You bet they are! It would be quite disingenuous of them to pretend they are equally as keen on road safety issues. Do I think the government should be objective in taking a fair and impartial decision that doesn’t give competitive advantage to one side? Undoubtedly!
Whatever the regulations agreed, it should not be one that gives taxis and Poda podas the ultimate economic edge. Let the market decide. The consumers are capable of making informed choices within the government’s parameter of regulations.
By Patrick John