Following the ban placed on motorcycle (okada) riders in Lagos and expected influx to Oyo State, the association of commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators (ACOMORAN) has urged the state government to give autonomy for their operation.
ACOMORAN also appealed for the regulation of the number of the unions controlling the activities of the commercial tricycle and motorcycle operation in the state, saying that it will help in reducing the frequent crisis in the garages.
The Union made the appeal at the press conference held at its state Secretariat, Total Garden, Ibadan on monday.
Speaking on behalf of the Union, the state Chairman of the ACOMORAN, Comrade Olugbode Solomon, expressed that banning okada operation is not the best solution to the increase in the rate of crime, stating that governing banning the operation of the okada riders is shining away from its responsibility.
He described the okada operation as a surviving business created by individuals who can not indulge in stealing or involve any criminal activity to fill the vacuum and lapses created by those in the position of authority.
Comrade Olugbode expressed the readiness of the commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders in Oyo State to abide by the rules and regulations established by the government to regulate the activities of their operation.
He maintained that motorcycle and tricycle operators are also products of society just like others in various professions, noting that atrocities committed by individuals should not be associated with their profession, religion or ethnicity.
Comrade Olugbode commended the state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde for keeping to his promises particularly to the motorcycle and tricycle operators.
According to him, “first of all, let me use this opportunity to celebrate and wish the God sent man, the executive governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, a happy Democracy Day. We appreciate His Excellency for not reneging in his electoral promises especially to the riders of motorcycle and tricycle who were seen as nuisance by some elite in most cases.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have faced a lot of challenges which could have make life unbearable for some of us who depend on daily income to make living but the wisdom and humanitarian approach of His Excellency has saved us from hardship, especially during the outbreak of global pandemic, COVID-19 and the Endsars protest. On behalf of the 50,000 members of ACOMORAN in Oyo State, we say a big thank you to our governor and his entire cabinet members for readiness to take responsibility for the safety and welfare of all.
“The latest was the recent ban on motorcycles in some major parts of Lagos State and the likely influx of those riders into Oyo State. I want the public, especially the elite to understand that we are products of society, we are not useless, worthless or empty headed. Society needs to understand that committing an atrocity depends on the person and not the profession, a bad person is a bad person irrespective of their occupation, gender, ethnicity or religion.
“The law does not restrict anyone from moving from one place to another for a reason of making a living and anyone or group who act in violation of the law is regarded as a criminal.
“The Association is fully on ground and our members have been sensitized to report any strange and suspicious movement to the appropriate quarters. As law abiding people, we have also prepared our members for the data collection of all riders for easy identification.
“As a mean of permanent solution to the unruly behavior of some riders in the state, we appeal to the government to regulate the number of unions controlling riders and give autonomy of existence to the riders because the violence in commercial motorcycles and tricycle started in 2006 when the motorist union violently hijacked okada park,” Comrade Olugbode said.
The ACOMORAN chairmen also used the occasion to call on the Director of Department of State Security Service and Commissioner of Police in Oyo State to be vigilant as regards the proposition of organizing Okada Day by some set of people.
“We therefore, call on the Director of the Department of State Security Service and Commissioner of Police that anyone or group involved in this is an imposter and should be held responsible for the misdeed. Detailed information will be submitted in writing to the office of the security agencies.
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