Tag: Motorcycle

  • Feature: Nigerian Manufacturers should  develop Mass Transit Motorcycles

    Feature: Nigerian Manufacturers should develop Mass Transit Motorcycles

    By Ayo Akinfe

    Given how dependent we are on motorcycles in Nigeria, it is pathetic they we do not have a factory which manufactures machines that can carry between 10 and 12 people each.

    [1] Necessity is supposed to be the mother of invention

    [2] Nigerians use motorcycles for practically everything. Nigeria is the only country on earth where motorcycles are use to transport cows and to move other motorcycles

    [3] Lagos in particular is wholly dependent on motorcycle taxis known as Okadas because of its notorious traffics jams

    [4] During the rush hour in particular, motorcycles gets packed in Lagos. Sometimes, a whole family crowds on to one

    [5] It is not unusual for as many as 12 people to be passengers on a motorcycle in Lagos

    [6] In any normal human environment, this would precipitate the mass production of such multi-passenger motorcycles. I look at World War Two and still marvel at how it transformed industrial output in Europe and the US

    [7] By now, a company like Dangote Industries or Innoson Motors should have patented a 10-seater motorcycle. Maybe call it something like the Lagos Bike. They should then mass-produce it

    [8] What terrifies me about Nigeria is that the country does not have one company that can mass produce any item. It is pathetic that we do not have a company that can manufacture say 1m motorcycles a year

    [9] After the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt summonsed the chairmen of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler to the White House. There he mandated them to mass-produce tanks, assault rifles, battle shops, fighter aircraft, bombers, submarines, military trucks, etc. They all rose to the occasion. Ask yourselves if any Nigerian company can meet such a challenge

    [10] Our new president simply needs to introduce the slogan: “Anything we don’t produce, we don’t need.” If we cannot manufacture common motorcycles, we have no right to ride them!

  • Gombe State, Simba TVS Partner to Empower Residents

    Gombe State, Simba TVS Partner to Empower Residents

    …Boost local transportation with 1000 TVS Keke 

    The Gombe state government has commenced moves to improve last-mile transportation in the state, with the introduction of 1000 TVS tricycles which would ease local passenger commute and thus improve the lives of the people of Gombe state.

    The state government had selected Simba TVS, the foremost motorcycle and tricycle company, to supply 1000 units of the TVS King deluxe tricycles (Keke), based on the company’s high-quality products, and spares availability across the country, and their reputation for best-in-class service.

    Mr. Mahendra Pratap, the Business Head of Simba TVS, who was at the Vehicle handover ceremony at the Pantami stadium in Gombe, commended the State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, for his visionary foresight and astute commitment to resolving the challenges of last-mile transportation and impacting positively on the fortunes of the people in the state. He revealed that Simba TVS was selected due to the brand’s reliability, trustworthiness and commitment to quality service adding that TVS brands were widely accepted across the country. 

    According to him, “Gombe state government trusted Simba TVS to provide 1000 units of the TVS King Deluxe to enhance last-mile transportation in the state, and we have done just that to demonstrate our commitment and vision. The TVS King Deluxe is the most powerful 3-wheeler vehicle with the most durable engine in a Keke, stronger chassis and body, imbibing the best considerations for safety, comfort and convenience, and of course, our Keke comes with 12 months warranty.”

    He noted that the impact of the addition of 1000 units of TVS 3-wheelers into the transportation infrastructure of Gombe state is very significant as this is expected to empower residents, boost productivity and generate massive socio-economic ripple-effect. 

    “We are convinced that the distribution of the TVS King Deluxe, as part of the Alhaji Yahaya administration’s projects in the transportation sector, will alleviate the challenges of last-mile transportation, provide employment and technical skill development opportunities for the youths, while also accelerating the pace of economic growth in the state,” he said.

    Regarding continuous support for customers, he revealed that Simba TVS provides a range of after-sales and support services, which is not only limited to a 12-month warranty (on the vehicle engine and indicated parts) but also include easy access to genuine spare parts, vehicle coupling training/ service, and Rider safety training. Other benefits could include basic vehicle maintenance training, advanced training for technical manpower development/ skill enhancement, and basic transport business management training. 

    He stated that in affirmation of the brand’s avowed commitment to nation-building, Simba TVS will continue to seek opportunities to expand partnerships with major stakeholders such as governments and their agencies, corporate organisations, financial institutions across the country.

    In Gombe State, Simba TVS is looking to establish fully equipped, company-run workshops along with supporting local mechanics and spares dealers in various parts of the state that will be focused on the development and enhancement of the support infrastructure: spares, technical services and engine oil.

    Taiwo Damilola, Divisional Head of Marketing, Simba TVS, remarked that Simba TVS has in the past invested in numerous CSR initiatives focused on social/economic empowerment and human capital development. The firm will continue to roll out more initiatives in line with this vision and belief based on its understanding of the evolving challenges within the country.

    The state governor at the launch ceremony on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, took a ceremonial ride in a TVS King Deluxe and expressed excitement at the performance of the vehicle. The state government has since begun the hand-over of the vehicles to beneficiaries from across the state. 

  • Lagos finally Bans ‘Okada,’ ‘Keke’ From Major Roads, Highways, Bridges

    Lagos finally Bans ‘Okada,’ ‘Keke’ From Major Roads, Highways, Bridges

    The Lagos State government has placed a ban on motorcycles and tricycles popularly known as ‘okada’ and ‘keke,’ in various local government areas of the state.

    In the restriction order sent to media outlets on Monday, the government asked motorcycle and tricycle operators to refrain from operating on major roads in Lagos.

    The order, captioned “Lagos Govt Has Banned Okada and Keke Marwa From Plying The Roads … Be Warned’. The State government has recently installed road signs across the places where Okada and Marwa are forbidden from plying.

    Also listed below are the highways and bridges where motorcycles and tricycles movement were restricted-

    MAJOR HIGHWAYS
    Lagos Ibadan Expressway
    Apapa Oshodi Expressway
    Oworoshoki Oshodi Expressway
    Lagos Ikorodu Expressway
    Lagos Abeokuta Expressway
    Babangida Bouleverde
    Eti-Osa Lekki Epe Expressway
    Lagos Badagry Express
    Funsho Williams Avenue
    Agege motor Road
    Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road

    BRIDGES
    Iyana-Ipaja Bridge, Agege/Alimosho Local Government
    Dopemu Bridge, Agege/Alimosho Local Government
    Airport/Ikeja Bridge, Ikeja Local Government
    Agege Motor Road/Oshodi Loop, Oshodi, Ikeja/Mushin Local Government
    Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge, Mushin Oshodi Local Government
    Dorman Long Bridge Surulere/Lagos Mainland Local Government
    Ojuelegba Bridge, Surulere/Lagos Mainland Local Government
    National Stadium Flyover, Surulere Local Government
    Iganmu/Funsho Williams Bridge Surulere Local Government
    Apapa – Iganmu Bridge Surulere Local Government
    Apapa – Ijora Link Bridge, Apapa/Lagos Mainland Local Government
    Liverpool Bridge, Apapa, Apapa Local Government
    Mile 2 Bridge Loop, Amuwo-Odofin, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government
    Okota (Cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge Mushin/Oshodi-Isolo Local Government
    Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network, Mushin/Oshodi/Isolo Local Government
    Ikorodu Road/Anthony Cloverleaf Bridge Somolu/Ikeja Local Government
    Trade Fair Flyover Bridge, Ojo Local Government
    Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge Amuwo Odofin Local Government
    2 Flyover bridges along Alhaji Masha Rd, Surulere Local Government
    Ojota Clover Leaf Bridge, Kosofe/Ikeja Local Government
    Ogudu Bridge Kosofe Local Government
    3rd Mainland Bridge Lagos Island/Mainland/Somolu Local Government
    Maryland flyover Ikeja/Somolu Local Government
    Ikeja/General Hospital flyover Bridge Ikeja Local Government
    Kodesho Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja, Ikeja Local Government
    Opebi Link Bridge, Ikeja Local Government
    Sheraton-Opebi Bridge, Ikeja Local Government
    Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge, Lagos Mainland Local Government
    Carter Bridge Lagos, Lagos Mainland Local Government
    Bariga-Ifako Bridge Somolu/Kosofe Local Government
    Apapa – OShodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge Somolu/Kosofe Local Government
    Bariga/Oworonshoki Bridge Somolu/Kosofe Local Government
    Apapa – Oshodi Expressway/3rd Mainland Bridge Somolu/Kosofe Local Government
    Apapa – Oshodi Expressway/3rd mainland Bridge Somolu/Kosofe Local Government
    3rd mainland/Oworonshoki Bridge Kosofe Local Government
    Eko Bridge Lagos Island/Lagos Mainland Local Government
    Apongbon flyover, Bridge Lagos Island Local Government
    Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess) Lagos Island/Eti-Osa Local Government.
    McWen Bridge (Bonny camp) Eti-Osa Local Government.
    Marina/Ikoyi Bridge Lagos Island/Eti-Osa Local Government.
    Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge Eti-Osa Local Government.

  • Motorcyclists set NTA Uyo ablaze

    Motorcyclists set NTA Uyo ablaze

    Irate commercial motorcycle operators otherwise known as ‘Okada’ have set ablaze residential buildings and other property, including the NTA station in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
    They carried out the destruction during a violent protest against the alleged killing of their colleague by operatives of the State Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) on Tuesday.
    For several hours, human and vehicular movements were disrupted while the rampaging riders torched and vandalised property, including several vehicles belonging to government.
    Eye witness made it known that the protest erupted as a result of the massive clampdown on the activities of commercial motorcyclists and the insistence by the police to wholesomely implement government directive stopping their operation in Uyo.


    It was also learnt the Police went to the NTA station to make announcement that the ban was still in force when the angry bike operators trailed them and set part of the station ablaze.

    Enobong Peter Ukpe, a tricycle operator along the Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, where the incident took place, told journalists that the deceased was shot dead by the SARS men trying to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycle operations on the Uyo metropolis.


    “He (the deceased had resisted the Police who tried to seize his motorcycle for violating the ban on motorcycle operations in the Uyo,” he said.
    Effiong Usen, a motorcyclist from the neigbouring Ibiono Local Ibom Local Government Area, said the protest became necessary due to incessant harassment by the Police.

    The Mbierebe axis extending to the Godswill Akpabio international stadium has been locked down with businesses at a standstill.
    The rioting cyclists battled armed security agents, pelting stones and other dangerous objects at any official government vehicles.
    It was learnt the SARS’ men who killed the motorcyclist took his remains in their van to the state Headquarters at Ikot Akpanabia for onward transmission to the mortuary.


    However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Odiko Macdon, who described the incident as “unfortunate”, decried what he called the non-compliant attitude of the motorcycle operators since the ban was announced.