INSECURITY, UNEMPLOYMENT; MAY PERSIST ON BAN OF OKADA – ROMAN PRESIDENT … May lose over 30 billion naira annually

State Correspondent

President of Riders and Owners of motorcycle association of Nigeria, ROMAN, Alhaji Olusola Razaq, has again advised the Federal Government that an outright ban of Commercial motorcycle as a means of transportation, may have serious negative impact on the economy Nigeria as well an increase in unemployment and insecurity.

Alhaji Olusola Razaq, gave the word of advise, Monday in Abuja while attending a one day seminar workshop organized by the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondents Association ATACA. He stated that if the action on the ban is not reviewed, that such may impose serious unemployment implosion across the Nation as well as increase on insecurity and loss of about 30 billion naira revenue generated from the unions across the 36 states and FCT.

Recall that many states Governors are bent on banning the commercial motorcycle operators whom they believed aid insecurity across the country.

The Roman National President, who is also known as Solebo, stated that the ban and crushing of seized motorcycles should not be a solution in an economically disadvantaged society like Nigeria.

The ROMAN President, however, observed that the federal Government through the parent Ministries should as a matter of urgency start making suitable regulations that will ensure safety of operators than banning the life saving activities.

Alhaji Olusola Razaq, said, “What we are saying is that the Federal Government as well as States Governors should as a matter of fact ensure that much more jobs are created through already established Okada union. And there are so much to learn here and that is the fact that many families has been lifted out of poverty through commercial motorcycle transportation system. We should also not shy away from the fact that the system have also contributed in fighting insecurity by engaging idle minds. There is this saying that Idle mind is devil’s workshop, that is one of our achievements. We ensure that all our riders are well educated on violence free society. So many of them have also shun being used by politicians at various occasions”

He noted that commercial motorcycle transportation system, as a major small scale business opportunity cut across both educated and non educated alike, remains a viable opportunity for beginners from poor background. He added that it is a business that have lifted lives of both unemployed graduates and uneducated ones.

“What the federal government has left undone is to create enabling environment, make laws and executive compliance. We all travel to other countries of the world such as India, China, Pakistan and we also witness how commercial tricycle and motorcycle operates with which was adopted by the government as a regulation. Our own is different here and they forgot that white collar jobs are not easy to secure. When they adopt the wearing of crash helmet and other protectives and strictly implement it, then it will reduce accidents accustomed with motorcycle crashes”.

While hoping that (ROMAN)will soon be seen as an association with good regulations and better welfare for it’s members, he stated that it will continue to carryout sensitisation programs across the Nation to ensure that the people restore confidence in the business that have lifted many out of poverty.

Olusola, said, “we are also negotiating with the Road Safety and VIO on the issue of members getting their plate numbers and also to stop disobeying road rules avoid road crashes and sudden deaths. We are also doing this to help millions of Nigerians with out of poverty because many families have waited for white collar jobs endlessly. So what am saying, is that commercial motorcycle, has contributed and is still contributing in youths employment opportunities.

“It will also intrest you to know that we have set up National task force in each of the states we operate to ensure compliance”.

The Roman President, who bagged award for his effort in fighting insecurity and other vices through the engagement of the youths, commended ATACA for the annual Seminar, which he said was timely in addressing the inadequacies in the Transportation sector.