“When life gives you lemons, use them to make lemonade”, is an old adage used to encourage optimism in the face of adversity. This must have been the watchword of Gokada, one of the bike-hailing firms banned from operating commercial motorcycle in Lagos.
Instead of a total shutdown, it saw the ban as Lemons, which is sour and represent life’s challenges, but the need of a food delivery service as lemonade, which is sweet and represents facing life’s challenges and turning them into something positive.
Gokada, launched Chop to explore opportunities in the delivery industry. This is after Nairametrics had reported that the company would soon delve in logistics and boat-hailing services.
The product was rolled out to replace the passenger-lifting commercial service of the company and to engage its teeming drivers. The development is due to the ban placed on the operations of commercial motorcycles in Lagos.
As its name implies, Chop is aimed at offering food delivery services from merchants/restaurants to consumers. One of the company’s riders, who was seen with the new Chop logo, elicited reactions from people, as the company was commended for its business ideas.
If life gives you lemons, you know the rest….@GokadaNG is out with a new product called“Chop” to offer food delivery service to food merchants.
Proud of them! pic.twitter.com/MtQ40KS5gl
— Ooni of Lagos (@Mr_Rotimi) February 12, 2020
Recall that Nairametrics reported when Gokada hinted on its plans to venture into logistics business and at the same time, bring its boat business to life.
Before now, Gokada had also issued a statement on its Twitter platform appreciating the support received from the public while also revealing plans to launch its new product.
We have news for you!#LagosNigeria #TuesdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/hzksLF3woJ
— Gokada (@GokadaNG) February 11, 2020
“We appreciate the unwavering support we’ve received so far from members of the public and our loyalists. We are currently exploring other business verticals which include logistics.
“We are registered for commercial purposes and not just restricted to bike hailing so expect more from us. We’ll be informing you of our product launch soon,” the statement read in part.
[READ MORE: Okada ban makes business tough for us, Gokada boss laments)
What you should know: The Chief Executive Officer of Gokada, Fahim Saleh disclosed recently that the startup was working on a new app, outside its default Gokada app, for deliveries alone.
Why this matters: This move by Gokada could be considered a very smart one owing to the fact that riders, who are supposed to be left jobless due to the okada ban, would now have something else doing. Utilising its vast array of bikes to switch to logistics is indeed very good as the okada ban exempts logistics services and dispatch riders.
Competition arising: Max.ng is another bike-hailing company affected by the recent ban on motorcycle and tricycle activities in Lagos State with its already established dispatch line of operations. Therefore, this latest move by Gokada would see the competition in that line become stiffer with other major players in the dispatch service scene.
Point of correction. Commercial activities weree banned in certain local government areas and not in Lagos state as a whole. Kindly put your facts straight.,