Ban on motorcycle taxis in cities reduces import 41% YoY
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Importation of motorcycles dropped 42 per cent from N367.39 billion in 2021 to N212.64 billion in 2022 because of the ban on motorcycle taxis (Okada) in cities in Lagos and other states across the country.
The latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures on Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Report also show importation slashed 22 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) from N59.63 billion in Q3 2022 to N46.43 billion Q4 2022.
The import bill was N74.6 billion in Q1 2022 but fell 57 per cent to N31.98 billion in Q2 2022. It reversed in Q3 2022 as imports rose 86 per cent to N59.63 billion, only to drop 22 per cent to N46.43 billion in Q4 2022, according to Daily Post.
The report is on the backdrop of increasing ban on motorcycle taxis in Lagos, Ondo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and other locations nationwide, especially in city centres.
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Lagos bans okada in additional 4 LGAs
Lagos banned commercial motorcycles (Okada) in six councils and local council development areas (LCDAs) in June 2022 and extended the ban to four more councils and LCDAs in September.
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Transport Commissioner Frederic Oladeinde, who announced the extension, said it was in the best interest of residents and for security reasons.
The new councils affected include Kosofe, Ikosi-Isherri LCDA, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo LCDA, Shomolu, Bariga LCDA, Mushin, and Odi-Olowo LCDA.
In compliance with the ban, security operatives impounded several motorcycles from operators in restricted areas, such as
- Apapa
- Apapa Iganmu LCDA
- Ikeja
- Ojodu LCDA
- Onigbongbo LCDA
- Lagos Island
- Lagos Island West LCDA
- Lagos Island East LCDA
- Lagos Mainland
- Yaba LCDA
- Surulere
- Coker Aguda LCDA
- Itire-Ikate LCDA
- Eti-Osa
- Eti-Osa East LCDA
- Eti-Osa West LCDA
- Iru Victoria Island LCDA
- Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained the government took the decision in line with the state’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to tackle the chaos and menace created by motorcycle taxi operation.