The Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle, Motorcycle Owners Riders and Repairers Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Oyo State chapter has put an end to the agelong factional crisis within the union and brought all splitter groups under its mother body.
The ACOMORAN Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Olugbode Solomon stated this while addressing journalists at the union’s Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday.
Comrade Solomon, who recounted how the proscribed NURTW took the undue advantage of the 2006 political brouhaha in Oyo State and violently hijacked ACOMORAN parks, said reprieve has come to the union now as all splitter groups have returned home.
He lamented how ACOMORAN internal crisis aided external attacks from NURTW and almost consumed the riders’ association if not for the professionalism of the people involved while legal actions taken and judgements obtained.
“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 legal battle.
“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.
“Splitter 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.” Olugbode stated.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the reconciliatory efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde, Otunba Seye Famojuro, Alhaji Akeem Adebayo Kuso and the National President of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun popularly called All Rounder.
He also acknowledged that the emergence of Alhaji Abdulwasiu Tomiwa (Tommy) as the PMS Chairman has changed the face of commercial motorists business in Oyo State, stressing that his assumption of office has been bringing justice to the misdeeds of the past.
He lauded Alhaji Tommy for bringing sanity to motorists union and their parks. Olugbode however expressed his willingness to dialogue with the PMS Chairman to have hijacked Motorcycle and Tricycle Parks returned to his original owner – ACOMORAN.
ACOMORAN Chairman charged riders not to take laws into their hands and obey traffic rules guiding the use of roads.
“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 are 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 licenses 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.” Olugbode stated.
He equally reiterated that it would no longer be business as usual for any erring rider in the state as ACOMORAN task force in various parks and garages would enforce new directives on strict compliance with prompt payment on ticketing, proper conduct, decent dressing, and healthy communication with passengers.
Olugbode 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.