The newly elected National President
of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and
Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun, has said
that he would rebrand the association in a way that will earn it international
recognition.
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| Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun |
Speaking with newsmen ahead of his
inauguration as the fifth President of the Association, slated for April 18 in
the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Apelogun described motorcycle business as
one that the government can invest in, given its socio-economic potentials,
noting that, ACOMORAN under his watch would lure investors into the country as
well as collaborate with international organizations.
The National President-elect, who is
fondly called “All Rounder”, said that foreign investors would be made to build
their plant in Nigeria so that motorcycles and tricycles can be purchased at
cheaper rates and their presence will have direct effect on the economic status
of the nation since tricycle and motorcycle remain a big stakeholder.
He said his administration would
change public perception about tricycle and motorcycle business which has in
the past been seen a business of touts, pointing out that ACOMORAN has provided
a means of livelihood to over 12 million Nigerians in absence of white collar
job.
The National President frowned at
suggestions to ban motorcycle business in some quarters, saying that such move
will cause security challenges in the country.
According to him, there had been air
mishaps in the past and there was no ban on the aviation sector. There had been
accidents caused by trucks in different parts of the country and government did
not give it a thought to ban the use of trucks. Banning motorcycle business
will result in security challenge since over 12 million people would be out of
job by the decision.
Alhaji Apelogun, who was Chairman of the
ACOMORAN in Ogun State in the last eight years recalled that the introduction
of number plates to commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists helped in drastic
reduction of crime rates, saying that it the step also aided the internally
generated revenue drive of the state government.
Emphasising some of his lofty dreams
for the association, Alhaji Apelogun said that his administration will work on
putting a National Secretariat Complex in place, adding that the lives of
riders and their commuters would be insured in case of job hazards while the
riders only pay a token on a yearly basis.
He said that in case of fatality, the
association will be responsible for helping the rider or his family with a good
sum of money to start life afresh without going through any form of hardship.
The National President further hinted
that members of the association would be given the opportunity to go on holy
pilgrimage to Mecca and Jerusalem as a way of instilling the fear of God in
them, recalling that there was no executive member of ACOMORAN in Ogun State
who did not have pilgrimage experience.
Commending the Minister of
Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who doubles as the Grand Patron of the
association, Alhaji Apelogun described him as the best Minister in the country,
noting that the endorsement of his victory by the minister was encouraging.
“Baba Buhari is our product. We
exhibit it always. Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is our Grand Patron. He endorsed me
few days ago in his office in Abuja. During my visit, the Minister said,
‘meritoriously, you deserve to be the National President.’ I call this, the
final endorsement,” he said.
The
National President of ACOMORAN, who expressed confidence in raising the
bar of the association to worth trillions of naira at the expiration of his
tenure, advised members to maintain decency at all times without seeing
themselves as third class citizens to anyone while they see the commuters as
their family members
He added that come 2023, the association
members, who have been non-partisan by principle, would be encouraged to
indirectly go into politics by contesting for seats in the Federal House of
Representatives and States Houses of Assembly respectively, pointing out that
the numeric strength of the association will enhance their success at the
polls.
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