Struggle of

By Kadiatu A Turay

 

 

As the skies of Lungi unleash torrential rains during the wet season, bike riders find themselves in a daily battle for survival. With muddy, flooded roads and unpredictable weather, their livelihood becomes a constant struggle, leaving many to navigate the treacherous conditions with both physical and financial consequences.

For bike riders, commonly known as “Okada riders,” the rains do more than dampen their spirits—they wreak havoc on their motorcycles, turning every ride into a challenge. “When the rain starts, the roads become almost impossible to ride through,” explains Ibrahim Kamara, an Okada rider from Lungi. “The potholes fill with water, and we often cannot tell how deep they are until it’s too late. It’s a dangerous gamble every time.”

The poor road conditions are exacerbated by the lack of proper drainage systems. The roads quickly flood, forcing riders to either wade through the water or take risky detours through narrow paths. These paths, often no better than the main roads, add to the wear and tear on their motorcycles, leading to frequent mechanical breakdowns.

Financially, the rainy season is a lean period for many riders. With fewer passengers willing to brave the rain and flooded streets, the daily income of most Okada riders drops significantly. “People prefer to stay home when it rains, so we lose out on a lot of business,” says Fatmata Sesay, one of the few female riders in the area. “But for us, staying home is not an option. We need to provide for our families, no matter the weather.”

However, it’s not just the riders who suffer. Passengers, too, are affected by the scarcity of reliable transportation during heavy downpours. Many rely on bike riders as their primary mode of transport due to the lack of public buses and the difficulty taxis face navigating the roads in such conditions. “I’ve been late to work so many times because there’s no Okada available when it rains,” laments Mariama, a local resident. “It’s frustrating, but the riders themselves are also struggling.”

Despite the difficulties, bike riders in Lungi continue to brave the rain, holding onto the hope that better road infrastructure might one day ease their burden. Local advocacy groups have raised concerns about the lack of investment in Lungi’s road network, urging the government to prioritize road maintenance and drainage improvements, particularly as the town’s population grows.

While the wet season continues to test their resolve, the bike riders remain an essential part of Lungi’s economy, ensuring that daily life doesn’t grind to a halt, even under the heaviest of rains. For now, they continue to face each day with resilience, doing what they can to survive the rain.