The recent Lagos State Government ban on tricycles (Keke NAPEP) and commercial motorcycle (Okada) has appeared not to have its toll Gokada.
The ride-hailing service has announced its move into the logistics industry while also reawaken its boat business service.
Recall that Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the ban on operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles on Monday, January 27, but didn’t take effect until Saturday, February 1, 2020.
A significant number of people have been forced into the unemployed population following the ban as startups in the hailing bike business were left with no choice than to close up or venture into something else.
This development has prompted Gokada into boat service and logistics.
Fahim Saleh, CEO, Gokada said that the hailing ride service is pivoting into deliveries while trying to figure out the transportation aspect.
He also mentioned that Gokada would launch its boat service anytime soon in February 2020.
“One 24-passenger boat just came in, and another is sitting at the port waiting to be cleared from customs,”
“In between government approval and getting investors to back us for scale, there is still a lot of work that has to be done in this regard. I want to get hundreds of these boats in the water.” Faheim said
Following the ban, the Lagos State Government in a bid to alleviate the transport challenges faced by commuters launched ferries.
Sometime in March 2019, Gokada In changing the narrative, as a privately owned business, said that in the nearest future it will expand beyond motorcycle services.
Exploring other means of transportation, ranging from road, water, and air means of transportation.
Noting that 25% of Lagos is covered in water and there are channels that connect other waterways together, so, why waste so much time in road traffic if you could use the waterways?
Gokada might have just taken this smart move to bring its transport business back since the waterways are much open.
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