The Chairman of the Riders and Owners of Motorcycles Organisation (ROMO) in Ogun State, Alhaji Sotayo Olusola Rasak, popularly known as Sholebo, has faulted the suspension of commercial motorcycle operations in Abeokuta North Local Government, describing the decision as “ill-advised, unlawful and counterproductive.”
Sholebo, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday, condemned the action of the council chairman, Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo, who ordered the suspension after protests erupted over the introduction of a new revenue ticket.
According to him, the suspension, which affects all commercial motorcycle unions including ROMO, ACCOMORAN and AMORAN, is an unfair punishment to hardworking riders already grappling with Nigeria’s harsh economic climate.
Sodipo had recently introduced the Abeokuta Riders Insurance Project, which imposes a daily levy of ₦300 on riders in addition to the official Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) ticket already purchased through recognised transport unions.
In a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Oluwakayode Ajibola, the council chairman ordered that no ticket should be sold or collected from any rider in the council until further notice, citing the need to address ongoing disputes.
But reacting, Sholebo accused the council of violating the state’s harmonised revenue policy and engaging in “double taxation.”
“The decision to suspend operations because riders resisted an unjust ticket is unacceptable. Our members are already paying the official OGIRS ticket. Introducing an additional ₦300 daily levy amounts to double taxation,” he said.
The ROMO boss urged the State Government, especially the Commissioner for Transportation, to urgently intervene and reverse both the suspension and the new levy before tensions escalate.
He warned that if left unresolved, the matter could lead to unrest, stressing that his members were committed to supporting government policies that promote safety and order, but would resist unlawful levies.
“We will not keep quiet when our members are subjected to unfair charges that threaten their livelihoods,” Sholebo stated.
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