Commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, in Ogun State are up in arms against a newly introduced daily insurance levy. The authorities of Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas are facing stiff resistance for mandating a ₦200 daily insurance premium, which the riders describe as a blatant attempt to exploit them.
Unions and Councils at a Deadlock Over Collection
The conflict stems from a meeting between the local government chairmen and riders' union leaders that ended in a stalemate. Hon. Afeez Balogun of Abeokuta South and Hon. Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo of Abeokuta North had engaged the unions over the proposed insurance scheme. The councils initially proposed a ₦300 daily premium to cover medical expenses from accidents before reducing it to ₦200.
However, the unions, which already collect an ₦800 daily ticket from their members, firmly opposed the new fee. Investigations reveal a core point of contention: the council authorities declined to allow union officials to collect the insurance ticket, reportedly due to disagreements over how to share the proceeds.
Riders Decry Extra Financial Burden
In interviews, riders operating in the two council areas voiced their frustration, arguing the fee imposes an additional financial strain amid current economic hardships.
Taiwo Oladeji, a rider with over a decade of experience, labeled the scheme exploitative. "I don't think the card is visible. I think they just want to exploit the Okada riders," he stated. Oladeji questioned the practicality, asking, "So if an Okada man has an accident, which hospital are they taking him to?" He emphasized his right to seek independent insurance, noting his accident-free record.
Another rider, Habba Sani, who operates in the Sabo area, echoed the sentiment. While acknowledging the insurance idea was good, he stressed that paying ₦200 daily on top of the union's ₦800 ticket was excessive. Sani revealed that Hausa riders had stopped payments because calls to council healthcare centres after accidents went unanswered. "We can't continue to pay for an insurance scheme that is not working," he declared.
Council Chairman Defends Scheme as Welfare Initiative
In a robust defense, Hon. Afeez Balogun, Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, insisted the scheme was designed for the riders' benefit, not exploitation. He explained it aims to extend the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to Okada riders, providing financial protection against sickness and accidents.
Balogun expressed bewilderment at the unions' opposition, contrasting the proposed ₦200 with the ₦800 they collect weekly. "Apart from personal income tax... what happens to the rest of the money? From our findings, the state collects only ₦200 from the union. What happens to the remaining ₦500?" he questioned.
He clarified that the coverage goes beyond accidents, including everyday ailments like malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and hypertension, and even surgical operations. Balogun framed the initiative as part of Governor Dapo Abiodun's ISEYA mantra, highlighting the state's 24-hour ambulance services, functional primary healthcare centres, and drug banks.
The chairman urged union leaders to reconsider and collaborate with the councils for the riders' health and safety. Meanwhile, a source in the State Ministry of Transport indicated the state government might intervene to resolve the impasse or possibly shelve the idea entirely.
