Some motorcycle riders in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have raised the alarm over alleged extortion and frequent harassment by fee collectors, warning that their livelihoods are under threat.
The riders, who operate in Magboro, Mowe, Arepo, and neighbouring communities, appealed to the state government to intervene, claiming they are being forced to join multiple unions that impose daily charges whether or not they work.
Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, a rider, Eze Emeka, lamented the growing financial burden, lamenting that the tariff the union collects increases every year.
“The increasing tariff is affecting me and my family. Every year, we contribute close to N200,000. We buy stickers for N5,000 from each union — four stickers every year — plus riders’ permits, bringing the total to between N25,000 and N30,000 annually.
“In a day, I can’t make up to N5,000, yet they extort money from me daily, and I don’t see the impact of these fees. There are no facilities, nothing to show for it, and when we ask questions, they tell us it’s from the government.
“We have different unions, such as the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, the Articulate Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, and the Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation.
“All of them collect the same amount from us. I’m pleading with the government to come to our aid.”
Another rider, Epe Samson, informed lamented that the situation had worsened this year with sudden increases in levies.
“This year, without informing us, they increased the ticket fee to N800 daily. The stickers used to cost N3,000 were increased to N5,000, and now they want to increase the riders’ cards to N7,000.
“As if that wasn’t enough, another union was introduced, which we were told to be approved by the Ogun State Government.
“All this is affecting our means of livelihood. We’ve appealed to the union leaders, but nothing has changed. The ticket collectors assault us daily and compel us to pay, even when we don’t have the money.”
All efforts to get a reaction from the Commissioner for Transport, Olugbenga Dairo, were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to him as of the time this report was filed.
Source: Punch News
