The Commercial National Okada Riders Union has expressed concern over the government’s delay in passing legislation to legalise their operations, saying the situation is negatively affecting their livelihoods.
According to the riders, the absence of clear regulations has left them vulnerable to frequent police harassment and arrests, discouraging many from working freely.
The proposed legislation, when passed, is expected to regulate commercial motorcycle operations and enforce safety standards across the country.
Speaking in an interview, the President of the Union, Mohammed Tijani, said many riders are losing income due to the continued uncertainty surrounding their work.
The current President promised that if he wins, he will legalize the job for us, but that has not happened yet. The pressure on us is unbearable. The boys are crying. The little income they make to feed their families or continue their education is being taken away through police harassment,” he lamented.
He added that despite fulfilling all legal requirements, including possessing valid licences and roadworthy certificates, some police officers still find ways to extort riders.
“You are required to have your licence and roadworthy certificate before you can ride. But when you are stopped by the police and you show them these documents, they still insist on going to the DVLA to verify if they are genuine. That’s unfair. And when you are arrested, you can’t go to their offices empty-handed, or you won’t get your motorbike back,” Mr. Tijani alleged.
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