Ogun Assembly Cautions Against Charging Above N1,500 For Motorcycle Riders'ID

Ogun State House of Assembly has cautioned the  Consultant handling the Commercial Motorcycle Riders'rider identification scheme against chargimg above N1,500 contained in the  consultancy agreement with the transport unions, so as to prevent the recurrence of skirmishes among motor cycle riders in Abeokuta and some parts of the state

The State House of Assembly Committee on Transport led by Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, gave the advice, during a recent tripartite meeting at the Assembly Complex, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta on the implementation of the House resolution seeking the creation of a comprehensive database for Okada riders in response to likely security breach that might accompany the ban on Okada riders in the neighbouring States.

Elemide explained that the Assembly had engaged stakeholders in the transport sectors during the committee called for  a more robust working relationship among the State Ministry of Transportation, all motorcycle unions and the consultant in charge of the identification Scheme to resolve issues that led to the recent protests by some of the motorcycle riders in the State.

The Chairman at the meeting which had in attendance the Director, Public Transportation and Commuter Services, Engr. Wale Sokunbi, the Consultant in charge of COMORIS, Juwon Adebanjo and the  representatives of the motorcycle unions, posited that all hands must be on deck to ensure the successful gathering of all security information about the riders and owners of motorcycles across the State.

Elemide, who described  the meeting as necessary  due to the protests by some aggrieved riders on the execution processes put in place by the agents of the Consultant, especially on the alleged hike in the fee  prescribed by the consultant; stressed the need to avoid any act inimical to the promotion of peace and tranquility in all parts of the State.

He sought for more orientation programmes and enlightenment campaigns about the scheme towards achieving a comprehensive database on all motorcycle riders, while challenging the consultant to put in place mechanisms towards checkmating the unnecessary hike in fees by some of its agents.  

Elemide clarified that the of N1, 500 fee per rider as charged by the consultant in conjuction with the relevant government agencies was not an additional tax on the riders, rather it was for the registration of each rider in line with the need for the creation of database for all the riders in the State.

 The Consultant, Juwon Adebanjo had earlier pointed out that the scheme was borne out of necessity, especially due to the prevailing security situation in the country 

He promised to engage all concerned parties in the sector to have a unified process leading to the creation of data base devoid of any forms of extortion.