Commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, in parts of Ogun State are locked in a fierce dispute with local government authorities over a newly introduced daily insurance levy. The riders have vehemently rejected a mandatory N200 daily payment for a health insurance scheme, describing it as an exploitative burden on top of existing union fees.
Council Proposal Meets Rider Resistance
The conflict involves the chairmen of Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas, Afeez Balogun and Lanre Sodipo respectively. The council bosses recently held a meeting with leaders of the major motorcycle unions to discuss the implementation of a daily premium collection for an insurance scheme. However, the engagement ended in a deadlock.
The chairmen, speaking at a briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta, accused the union leadership of sabotaging the councils' efforts. The initial proposal was for a N300 daily premium, which was later reduced to N200, intended to cover medical expenses in case of accidents and other health issues.
Unions and Riders Cry Exploitation
The affected unions include:
- Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (MORA) of Ogun State
- Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle, Repairers Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN)
- Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN)
- Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisations (ROMO)
According to insiders, the unions opposed the premium because the council authorities refused to allow union officials to collect the ticket, leading to a disagreement over the sharing formula for the collected funds.
Riders on the ground expressed strong opposition. Taiwo Oladeji, a rider with ten years of experience, called the scheme unfeasible. "I think they just want to exploit the Okada riders," he stated, questioning the practicality of the insurance and citing his personal faith and accident-free record. He argued that paying N200 daily, amounting to about N6,000 monthly, on top of the N800 daily ticket already collected by unions, is an excessive burden.
Habba Sani, a rider from the North, revealed that Hausa riders have already stopped paying the N200 fee. He claimed that council health centres would not respond when riders had accidents, making the payment pointless. "We can't continue to pay... the N1,000 daily ticket the union collects from added to the N200 is too much. I think this is another way of exploitation," Sani explained.
Council Defence and Government Intervention
In defence of the scheme, Abeokuta South Chairman Afeez Balogun insisted the insurance was not a ploy to exploit riders but a means to bring the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to their doorstep. He framed it as financial protection against unforeseen sickness or accidents.
Balogun expressed surprise that unions collecting N800 daily would oppose a N200 premium designed for the riders' welfare. He detailed that the coverage extends beyond accidents to include everyday ailments like malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and hypertension. "We are giving you value for your money versus no value. What value are they getting from other payments they make to the unions?" he questioned, linking the scheme to Governor Dapo Abiodun's robust welfare package.
The Ogun State Ministry of Transport indicated that the state government might intervene to mediate between the unions and councils or potentially shelve the idea altogether to resolve the impasse.
