Commercial activities in Ondo State capital, Akure was this morning halted by members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) following a protest staged by them over the recent government’s directive on payment for new number plates.
The protesters in their number and who took over the major Akure road, Oba Adesida/Oyemekun road, alleged that they have been directed by the Ministry of Transport to be pay N10,000 for the new plate numbers.
They were busy chanting anti-government songs, while most of them said they regretted voting Governor Olusegun Mimiko for a second term.
The aggrieved Okada riders blocked most of the busy roads in the town, causing gridlock as residents who were going for their business activities were forced to pass through rigorous routes before getting to their places of work.
Their actions could not be controlled by their Chairman, Jimoh Obabiolorun, who is known to be a staunch supporter of Mimiko’s government as his members insisted of going on with their protest.
Several flowers planted at the Oba-Adesida/Oyemekun road were uprooted by the aggrieved protesters.
They lamented that the government was imposing unnecessary burden on them despite the fact the government has failed to make provision for ways that will make money available in state.
One of the protesters, Lekan Fagbayigbo, who spoke with Daily Post said due to the financial recklessness of the government which has made money unavailable to the extend of non-payment of workers’ salaries, said many of the workers have decided to be trekking to their places of work.
“How are you expecting us to make money when workers are not being paid and majority of them have decided to be trekking to the office everyday. Most of my customers that I always take to their offices have decided not to call me again. Also, we Okada Riders normally stay at our stand for hours discussing without getting customers. I don’t know where the government wants us to get N10,000 from?”
Meanwhile, Human Rights Activist and Akure based lawyer, Barrister Morakinyo Ogele has warned the state government not to attempt to curtail the protest of the commercial riders.
In a letter addressed to the commissioner of Transport in the state, Barrister Ogele said the new order of obtaining new number was another way of imposing unwarranted burdens on the riders.
He warned that the state government should recall the order or risk litigation.
Comments