NAN-H-43
Protest
By Moses Kolo
Kafanchan (Kaduna State) Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Commercial motorcycle operators in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on Friday staged peaceful protest against the ban placed on their business by the state government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kaduna State Government recently reaffirmed its determination to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycle business introduced by the previous administration.
The protesters, who turned out in their numbers, stormed the Kafanchan/Kagoro road carrying leaf branches and singing solidarity song to express their displeasure with the ban.
Mallam Mohammed Kabir, an official of the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria, Kafanchan chapter, told NAN that the protest was to draw government’s attention to reconsider its stand on the matter.
“As much as we know that the government means well for the masses, it should also realise that most of us earn our living through this business,” Kabir said.
He said the union was cooperating with stakeholders in the transport sector particularly the FRSC, to ensure its members adhere to traffic rules and regulations.
He said, “if you observe, road crashes involving our members have drastically reduced.
“Our members are now more cautious than motor drivers; as such, the reason given by the government for imposing the ban is baseless,” he said.
Kabir declared that if the government should insist on enforcing the ban, it should explore viable avenues to provide employment opportunities to the youths involved in commercial motorcycle business.
David Aluwon, a commercial motorcyclist, told NAN that his family depended on his business as their sole means of livelihood.
“If government insist that we should stop working, I wonder what to fall back on as my wife and four children depend on this business for their welfare,” he said.
Meanwhile, several pedestrians were stranded as the commercial motorcycle operators refused to pick passengers while the protest lasted.
Mrs Gladis Alfa of Kasit area criticised the government for banning commercial motorcycle operation, and described the move as “misplaced priority’’.
“Instead of the government to channel its efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the people, it is busy pursuing petty endeavours.
“I know a number of civil servants that engage in commercial motorcycle business after work hours to make ends meet,” Alfa said. (NAN)
MGK/ORO/AEA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo