We have signed MOU to insure Okada riders, passengers in Nigeria…………Apelogun,, ACOMORAN National President
By Ayo Fadimu and Abimbola Abatta
The National President of the Association of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle, Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Prince Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelogun has revealed that the leadership of the association has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Mutual Benefit Insurance to procure life insurance cover for their members), their properties and the commuters.
Apelogun made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect . He said, “We just partnered with Mutual Benefit Insurance. It started early December. I just signed MOU with Mutual benefit insurance. Life insurance of the members, their properties and the commuters.”
He went further, “the welfare of our members is paramount to us. We put their well being in premium priority. That’s why we are doing life insurance for all our members.
S[eaking further, Apelogun said ACOMORAN has disclosed that the association has partnered with investors.
This is just as Prince Apelogun called on the government to encourage, empower, and support members of the association.
In his remarks on the ban placed on motorcycles in some states, he mentioned that members of the association were seriously affected.
“As leaders, we did what we could do too within our capability. We made sure that we empowered members, gave loans. We gave palliative to cushion the effect of the COVID-19. Also, we purchased facemasks in bulk and alcohol-based sanitisers to make sure that we saved lives.”
He opined that the government could have devised a way to regulate activities of motorcyclists rather than the outright ban that was placed on motorcycles.
“The government needs to encourage us. If they don’t like how we do things, they should call the leaders and tell us that they will form a committee or policy that will regulate activities of what we are doing. Anyone going out of the laid rules can be treated the way they want. We won’t complain about that.
“You remember when there was a problem in the aviation sector, the government did not ban the sector.
“From March to June which is the problem of the pandemic we were forced totally out of the street. At least we should reset the directives of the government. Some were looking for what to eat per day because our income is based on daily income. Without work, we cannot eat.”
Speaking on the projection of the association, Apelogun said, “We are planning to change the perception of the people concerning our businesses that at least the transport sector is not the business of the church.
“We want to modernise the business, that’s why we partner with investors. We developed an app and tagged it ACO ride. It’s just like Uber. So at your doorstep, you can call for our services and we will render it to you. We will also be able to track the usage of motorcycle and tricycle.”
The National President further disclosed that the association has put efforts in place to educate and orient members on how to relate with motorcycle and tricycle commuters.
Noting that though the reason for banning motorcycles in some states was to reduce road accidents, he said banning motorcycle is not the solution to the accident.
Prince Apelogun who noted that every business has its hazards said, “Concerning the over speeding and accident, if you check the bureau of statistic you will see that accidents caused by motorcycle and tricycle are not the number one or two.
“Of recent, we heard about the loaded PMS that had an accident. So it’s not motorcycles alone. Accident happens all over the world.
“Why they believe that they can ban is because they believe that they can find an alternative and in developed countries, before stopping or banning something, alternatives are provided or made.
“If you don’t do this, here is another one you can do.
So banning us not the solution to the accident. They need to come to our aid so as to orient, educate and regulate the activities.
“Late Awolowo said and I quote “If we fail to train the children of masses, the children of masses won’t allow our well-trained children to live and have peace.”
He maintained that the labour market is congested, urging the government to include transport workers in its plans.
“When someone starts from a place, such should be guided and motivated. What you are doing is wrong. This is what and how you will end. From there, they will be transformed, but when they are neglected, they will get something to do.
“If someone chooses and says ‘I cannot spoil the reputation of my family, the background I came from, let me choose this as a means of livelihood.’ What next are they looking for?
“No one has it in mind or willingly said it that as soon as I finished my school, I will start riding a motorcycle. But in Nigeria, you know that we must live, and sometimes where you find yourself is where God ordained you to be.
“The economy is poor now so anyone who sees something to do to eat will do it. The government needs to encourage, empower and support us,” he added.
