While you may lament, not hesitate to reel out figures or release a list as long as my arm if asked about those losing from Okada ban in Ebonyi State, do you know that many people, including your neighbours, are benefiting from the ban?
This is why:
Neighbourhood markets
In different parts of Ebonyi State, it is common to see neighbourhood markets, meant for quick-dash or for those in haste to cook, who may not bother to rush to the main market to make purchases.
In Afikpo, almost every community has its neighbourhood market. While Ahia Eke Ukwu/ Eke Market is very popular and serves people from different parts of the local government, state or even nearby Cross River State, almost every village or community has a market that serves their immediate needs.
Apart from Ahia Okpu in Ugwuegu, Ahia Ogo in Ozizza, Ahia Mgbasi in Ndibe, there are many "ahias" that have prevented people from bothering to enter Okada to Ahia Eke Ukwu to make purchases.
Therefore, the ban on Okada will make the neighbourhood market to thrive, though prices of items there are slightly higher than what you can get at Eke Market.
Exercising
Many people are fat or overweight because of living sedentary lifestyle or a life of redundancy, including laziness and "forming".
In Afikpo, you can recount many of your friends, who would enter Okada from Ozonku to Amaizu Amangballa Primary School, Romchi Park to Ahia Eke Ukwu, Amuro Roundabout to Motor Park, etc.
Of particular people in this class are those "forming" big boys or girls, who would not like many people to see them trekking. A girl evading a boy or a boy trying to impress a girl would not like to be seen trekking all the time.
Also, the "nde otu nzuzo" or cultists growing in Afikpo, being paranoid or always living in fear of being attacked by their "enemies" would rather enter Okada from Coca Cola to Goodhealth than trek.
Nevertheless, this has become the right time for them to shed some weight by doing a little trekking to burn fats and lose calories, though many "lazy girls" and "big boys" would rather prefer to stay at home than bring out their beauty and freshness of their skin by exercising.
Beer parlours
Give it to Afikpo people when it comes to downing one or two bottles while sealing a deal with friends, discussing important matters, having a date or generally hanging out.
How many times have you received a call from your guy to meet him at Okadigbo/ Ever Don bar at opposite Peace Park, Bongos Arena at NCI, Heaven at Ndibe, Omeri Glofish at opposite Amaizu Amangballa Primary School, Njoku at beside Zubik Complex, Last Busstop at Ogo Amangballa, among others?
Right now, people hardly trek distances or enter Okada just to drink beer with friends. Beer parlours in streets and neighbourhoods are serving their people and waxing stronger, thanks to Okada ban and people willing to spend in nearby beer parlours than bother with trekking or Okada.
Vehicle owners
Vehicles, private or commercial, always take advantage during Okada ban in any state of the country.
Here in Ebonyi State, many of them have already started cashing in. It is not only in Abuja that private car owners convert them to emergency commercial vehicles while going to work or coming back from work, in order to raise money for fuel.?
Here in Ebonyi State, especially Afikpo, except if the person wants to be altruistic, private car owners now charge to be able to help convey goods or humans to anywhere.
Even commercial vehicles that were hitherto given a wide berth by Okada owners, are now having the last laugh, while Okada owners gloat with envy...though the rivalry or enmity between Okada riders and vehicle owners will continue to thrive.
In fact, there are many advantages of the Okada ban in Ebonyi State, especially for Afikpo residents, but, since people already know the disadvantages offhand, let me recount some.
Stressful trekking
Trekking does not encourage old people and we have many of them in Ebonyi State, particularly in Afikpo, who eke out a living by going to the market on daily basis, sometimes with wares or items not worth N5, 000.
Imagine aged people bearing loads weighing as heavy as 50kg just to go to the market to sell and have to trek long distances because of the Okada ban.
Apart from old people, neighbourhood or street markets cannot boast of every item or product required for cooking or household items, so many still have to find their ways to the main market to make purchases.
Also, many traders travel distances with wares to sell their products, but would now have to negotiate with commercial vehicle owners.
Filling stations
How many people own cars in your neighbourhood? How many Okada people do you know? That's right, the number of Okada in Afikpo is higher than those who own cars and so filling station owners are presently experiencing a lull in business because of the ban on Okada.
If a car can buy ten litres of fuel in five minutes, twenty Okada riders can buy that in a minute, so, particularly in Afikpo, Tomgadas, Ebri, Ejima and other filling station owners will also be feeling the impact of the ban on Okada, no matter how little or subtle.
Fun seekers
Believe me, boredom kills faster than Coronavirus, so you may hear people, especially civil servants, complaining of boredom; as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.
In Afikpo, the situation is compounded as, no matter how bored, not many people are willing to trek distances to visit friends or event centres for fun.
Therefore, fun seekers are greatly affected by the Okada ban in Ebonyi State and cannot wait for the coronavirus to go away; so that they can return to a post COVID-19 life of uncertainty.
Conclusion
While the Okada ban was unexpected in Ebonyi State, especially Afikpo (though many are still operating through "apiam way" and by being cautious), it has its advantages and disadvantages. However, considering the agrarian nature and poverty level of those living in Ebonyi State, especially Afikpo, many will readily say that the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages of Okada ban in the state.
I should not be crucified by government and health workers if I agree with the downtrodden, but I hope the coronavirus pandemic is tackled as soon as possible; to pave way for a return to normalcy, though life will never remain the same in Afikpo, Ebonyi, Nigeria and the whole world even long after the pandemic is gone.
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