Ibadan – The Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle, Motorcycle Owners Riders and Repairers Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Oyo state chapter has ended a 17 year old feud among splinters group within it.
The President of the ACOMORAN in Oyo, Comrade Solomon Olugbode made this disclosure while addressing journalists at the association’s state Secretariat in Ibadan on Monday, July 31.
Declaring the return of Taskforce to its parks and garages for enforcement of its new directives on strict compliance with prompt payment on ticketing, proper conduct, decent dressing and healthy communication with passengers, Olugbode stressed that it would no longer be business as usual for any erring rider in the state.
“To the riders in the state, the freedom enjoyed-should not be taken for granted because we shall ensure lawlessness, willful disobedience to traffic rules and all forms of indiscipline is reduced if not totally eradicated on our road.
“All members must pay and collect their daily tickets, both Government revenue tickets and union tickets. Collecting money from riders without issuing ticket is extortion and criminal in nature, offenders will be handed over to .security agents. Daily ticket license a rider to operate freely without harassment or intimidation from anyone or group. Indecent dressing or alcohol consumption or sales is also prohibited in our parks.
Speaking on the reconciliation feat recorded by his current leadership, Comrade Olugbode disclosed that the association had gone through alot in the last two decades after a hard fought legal battle which emanated from the battle for the soul of the ACOMORAN in the state.
The proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo state, had held a wrong impression of having total control over all commercial activities on the road under its umbrella which eventually culminated into a serious crisis among executives of ACOMORAN that resulted into fierce leg battle, Olugbode added.
Olugbode disclosed further that, “while still battling with this, there was a misunderstanding within the executives then which brew internal crises that almost consumed the association. Legal actions were taken, judgement and rulings delivered. These challenges were managed professionally without constituting public nuisance because of the discipline of people involved.
“Splinter groups and associations began to emerge to take advantage of the division, our united numeric strength was weakened and the public could not differentiate our members on major roads again because the association’s official uniform which is our major identification was only seen in rural areas. Today, our captivities have been turned around for good, the unity has returned.”
While expressing gratitude to key players in the achievement of the reconciliation, Olugbode described Governor Seyi Makinde as an exemplary leader with a clear vision that has transformed Oyo state into an economically viable and infrastructurally strong base in the country, particularly in the transport sector.
While also appreciating the role played by Makinde’s political ally, ‘Otunba Seye Famujoro, Comrade Olugbode also lauded the Chairman, Oyo state park management system (PMS) Alhaji Tomiwa Omolewa’s leadership while reaffirming the resolve of ACOMORAN to deepen its relationship with the transport management body. He also praised Alh. Akeem Adebayo Kuso and the National President of ACOMORAN and its other national leaders.
While reiterating ACOMORAN’s readiness to restore sanity and efficiency to operations of its members towards engendering an improved passengers–riders relationship, Comrade Olugbode said it would no longer be business as usual for any of its members across the 33 local government in the state engaging in any form of unruly behaviors while on duty especially in either maintaining good communication with passengers or complying with official directives.
“The emergence of Alh. Abdulwasių Tomiwa as PMS chairman has changed the face of motorist in Oyo state. His resumption has been bringing justice to the past misdeed, Alh. Tommy is indeed bringing sanity to motor parks. On this note, I hope we will be willing to dialogue to have motorcycle and tricycle parkS returned to its original owner. The length of time cannot undo injustice except through correction.” Olugbode added.
He however, appealed to the federal government to as a matter of urgency, roll out palliatives that would cushion the harsh economic effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on household finances and income of its members stressing that considerate measures put in place by ACOMORAN on fair pricing was already taking a negative toll on members earnings while assuring of continuous support to government at all levels particularly in the areas of mutual cooperation on security matters.
