Operators of commercial tricycles and motorcycles have kicked against Federal Government’s plan to impose a ban on the use of motorcycles as part of the plan to curb insecurity. They said executing such plan will prove counterproductive. The operators, under the aegis of the Almalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), made their position known during a briefing in Abuja on Monday.
National President of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun, said an outright ban may throw over 40 million Nigerians who eke a living through motorcycles into the saturated labour market. He said the membership base of the body is about 12,000 out of which 6,000 persons have been registered. He also warned of the economic and security implications, saying besides impoverishing millions of Nigerians, it would further compound the anti-social vices government is trying to contain.
The Federal Government, arising from the National Security Council meeting on July 21st, 2022, gave indications that it might be compelled to ban the use of motorcycles and suspend mining activities to cut out movement by bandits and source of amassing ransom from kidnap victims. But opposing the move, the leadership of ACOMORAN said the government lacks effective security architecture. The union also called on the government to overhaul intelligence gathering mechanism, rather than create another monster that will ultimately add salt to the injury. Apelogun said:” Commuters see motorcycles as a relief to their transportation problems while motorcycle riders see their adventure as a source of livelihood. Without a doubt, the use of motorcycles has enhanced mobility for the middle and income earners which by extension has contributed to an increase in production through an increase in man hours.
