The national leadership of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle Owners, Repairer and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) has chided the Lagos State government for restricting the activities of motorcycle and tricycle operators in some parts of the state.
The National Chairman of ACOMORAN, Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, said the government policy of banning motorcycles and tricycles in six local government areas of the state was a demonstration of its insensitivity to the plight of the masses.
He said this at the inauguration of new state executive members of the association in Ogun State led by Mr Kayode Sowunmi, on Friday, adding that government ought to have provided alternative means before banning commercial motorcycle and tricycle activities.
Apelogun disclosed that many organised firms which had invested in the sector are now in huge debts owing to the government policy.
He said many of the motorcycle and tricycle operators are now back in the labour market, and are confronted with hardship of how to make a living.
“I really don’t think that banning commercial motorcycles without providing an alternative will ever be the panacea for the problems facing the Lagos State government and Lagosians in general.
“That policy is a demonstration of government’s insensitivity to the plight of the people. If care is not taken, many of those that have been thrown into labour market might find solace in crimes.
“We have over the years advocated sanitisation and setting of standards against adding to the pains of the people in the name of policy implementation. Unfortunately, poor Nigerians are usually at the receiving end,” he said.
He appreciated the Ogun State government both past and present for engaging in policy formulation with human face.
In his remarks, Ogun State Chairman ACOMORAN, Mr Sowunmi, said his administration would focus on five-point agenda which include overall welfare of members; security of members; insurance policy; empowerment and discipline.