According to Razaq, the reason why the activities of Okada riders are despised is due to unregulated operations nationwide.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Amid debates on a possible nationwide ban on commercial motorcyclists aka Okada riders, the Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Association of Nigeria (ROMAN) in the FCT have revealed plans to issue digital identification to its members.
The union said this would go a long way in checking criminality among them.
National President of ROMAN, Olusola Razaq, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said this during a sensitisation meeting organised for members at Karu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Razaq, the move by the union is to avoid outright ban by the federal and state governments owing to unregulated activities of Okada riders in the city centre.
He said his leadership had already engaged an ICT company that would carry out a digital image capturing of all members nationwide for proper identification.
”The reason why we are here is to inaugurate the FCT executive ahead of the national reforms as ordered by the Federal Government.
”And like I said, we have gotten a company that will create a data base for our members to ensure proper Identification of all members since there are other existing unions across the country,” Razaq said.
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He noted that plans were also ongoing to seek the establishment of a National Regulation Act for the association from the National Assembly (NASS).
According to him, the reason why the activities of Okada riders are despised is due to unregulated operations nationwide.
”Days are gone when Okada riders are used for political thuggery. Of course we know that the new INEC Electoral Act does not give room for such anymore.
”So our efforts now is to ensure that Okada riders are well sensitised like every other Nigerian who can also live their normal lives like good citizens of this country.
”We are also negotiating with the Federal Road Safety Commission and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) on the issue of members getting their number plates, to stop disobeying road rules, avoid road crashes and sudden deaths.
“We are also doing this to help millions of Nigerians get out of poverty because many families have waited for white collar jobs endlessly.
“So, what I am saying is that commercial motorcyclists have contributed and is still contributing in providing employment for youths.
“It will also interest you to know that we have set up National task force in each of the states we operate to ensure compliance,” Razaq said.