Commercial motorcycle associations in Ondo state have appealed to the Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to lift ban on ticket sales to members.
The motorcycle operators, comprising Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and Ondo State Owners Bike and Riders Association (OSOBRA), also declared their intention to work for the success of the second term ambition of the Governor.
The administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko had in 2015 banned ticketing activities among all commercial motorcycle operators in the state and also dissolved the executives.
In a letter of appeal dated 20th September titled “Save our children and relatives soul from starvation”, and signed by their representatives, Comrades Olumorin Akinlolu, Moses Olaoye and Timilehin Akinrolabu, they appealed to the Governor to lift ban on the sales of daily ticket to their members.
Also copied were Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun, Ondo State Council of Obas, Ondo State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as well as Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN).
The operators described their associations as registered and law abiding groups, which are always ready to cooperate and support the government in all matters relating to the development of the state.
They appealed to the Governor to lift the ban on the lawful general administrations of the associations, while calling on relevant groups and organisations in the state to assist in preventing the associations from going into oblivion.
They equally promised continued loyalty towards the development of the state by contributing immensely towards the promotion of internal revenue.
The group noted that the ban on the ticket activities in the state, apart from creating serious rift between the state chapters and the national bodies of the associations, could lead to withdraw of the from the national bodies due to inadequate remittance.
The letter read in part: “Our members numbering over 65,000 across the length and breath of Ondo state solidly support our tested and trusted Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu second term ambition. We equally appealed to relevant stakeholders to kindly help us appeal to the Governor to save our children and relatives souls from starvation.
“Commercial motorcyclist associations have been in existence in Ondo State since 1995, and carrying out lawful activities without intimidation or oppression of any citizen.”