The Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has ordered the decrease in the daily levies charge on the commercial Motorcyclists and Tricyclists in the state from N200 to N100.
It would be recalled that the state government had earlier imposed a daily levy of #200 on all commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in Oyo State.
However, the state Commissioner for Public works, Infrastructure and transportation, Professor Raphael Afonja, while briefing newsmen on the latest development in the state transport sector, said after governor Makinde had considered the working condition of the commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in the state, he has ordered that the #200 daily levy imposed on them should be reduced to #100.
Professor Raphael added that the revenue collectors would be at every park from tomorrow morning and urged the commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists to cooperate with them.
The commissioner hinted that in order to control the influx of commercial Motorcyclists into Oyo state, the government will in due course, issue Rider’s card to all registered commercial Motorcyclists in the state so as to identify registered commercial Motorcyclists from criminal elements who are using a motorcycle to operate.
“Escalating this issue to the Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, we were able to find out that He was not properly briefed and informed. So, I want to apologise to the unions and other stakeholders who are involved in the increment in their feed. The Governor was not in support of this increase in the revenue collection from 100 to 200 Naira. So, the Governor has instructed me to pass this information on that his goal is to ensure that people’s money remains in their pockets to take care of their families.
“So, he has gracefully reduced this fee from 200 Naira to 100 Naira. He also believes that this change will trickle down to the people who are in the markets; this change will help people and their families. As we all know, there are a lot of things the Governor has turned down recently.
“Also with the Agricultural sector, he supports to make sure that the settlement areas have good roads and other things he has done well. Things like these show that the Governor is here to serve the people of Oyo State and he has empathy for the people.
“Moving forward, commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists will be paying 100 naira to a revenue consultant daily and this will commence tomorrow morning (Friday).
“In addition to that, we have met with all in the quarries to include the union people. They are excited, understanding that the fact that the governor has listening ears. The Governor met with them physically. He understands their cry and he has assured them of his support.
“We have also concluded that, due to what happened in Lagos whereby we have seen an influx of people moving from Lagos into Oyo State, there is a need to have okada rider’s card to identify people coming into the state. So, in collaboration with the revenue collector for the state and FRSC and the unions, we will start this to gather information on those who are engaging in commercial or private business in the state. This is possible through profiling. The security agencies are in need of these pieces of information.
“Recently, we may have heard about the snatching of bikes, shooting of people. That is why we are trying to make sure that all motorcycles in Oyo State are properly registered. We will force them to do what is needful to make sure they obey the law.
“So, this registration of bikers through rider’s card will be a database for us to know how is who; who owns what; who they are, where they live and the rest. We will also add their BVN to know who they really are.”
