The Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Association of Nigeria (ROMAN) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed that plans are in motion to issue digital identification to its members.
According to the association, the innovation will go a long way to tame criminality among them in the bud.
The National President of the Union, Alhaji Olusola Razaq, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said this during a sensitisation meeting organised for or members at Karu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As explained by Razaq, the move by the union is to avoid outright ban by the Federal and States governments owing to unregulated activities of commercial motorcyclists in the city centre.
He said his leadership had already engaged an ICT company that would carry out a digital image capturing of all members nationwide for proper Identification.
”The reason why we are here is to inaugurate the FCT executive ahead of the national reforms as ordered by the Federal Government.
”And like I said, we have gotten a company that will create a data base for our members to ensure proper Identification of all members since there are other existing unions across the country,” Razaq said.
The president said plans were also ongoing to seek the establishment of a National Regulation Act for the association from the National Assembly (NASS).
According to him, the reason why the activities of commercial motorcyclists occur despised is due to unregulated operations nationwide.
”Days are gone when Okada riders are used for political thuggry. Of course we know that the new INEC electoral Act does not give room for such anymore.
”So our efforts now is to ensure that Okada riders are well sensitised like every other Nigerian who can also live their normal lives like good citizens of this country.
”We are also negotiating with the Federal Road Safety Commission and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) on the issue of members getting their number plates, to stop disobeying road rules, avoid road crashes and sudden deaths.
”We are also doing this to help millions of Nigerians get out of poverty because many families have waited for white collar jobs endlessly.
”So, what I am saying is that commercial motorcyclists have contributed and is still contributing in providing employment for youths.
“It will also interest you to know that we have set up National task force in each of the states we operate to ensure compliance.”
The Chairman of ROMAN, FCT chapter, Comrade Maharazu Yahaya, said the exercise was in compliance to the strict order mandating every commercial motorcycle association in the FCT to ensure proper regulations for its members or face outright ban.
Yahaya said that the inauguration of a new executive would ensure speedy response to all cases involving its members.
