The Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) has announced that it will commence full operations in Delta State on Thursday, November 13, with the collection of a daily check-up due of N200 from motorcycle riders across the state.
The Deputy National President of the union, Comrade Julius Oghenewevgba Bobi, made this known during a press conference held on Wednesday at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.
Bobi, who was accompanied by the National Provost, Comrade Monday Ekharenhor, and the Delta State Chairman, Chief Austin Okorare, said the N200 ticket would be used to promote the welfare and well-being of motorcycle riders in the state.
“This money is to take care of the riders and ensure their lives become better,” he stated, noting that the union has secured approvals from the Delta State Government and relevant agencies to begin operation.
He revealed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had given the go-ahead for the union’s activities, while the Commissioner for Transport had been duly informed of the commencement date.
According to him, MOUN’s establishment in Delta State was aimed at giving motorcycle operators a united voice and ensuring that their rights were protected under the law.
“No employer can stop a worker from unionizing; it is a criminal offence under the Labour Law and the constitution of our union,” Bobi warned.
He called on all motorcycle operators to identify with the union, describing it as a platform created to improve their living conditions and provide access to social benefits. “Among Okada riders, we have graduates who joined the business out of unemployment and hardship. This union is determined to lift them to a better standard of living,” he added.
Comrade Bobi explained that part of the daily N200 due would be channelled into a health insurance scheme in collaboration with the Delta State Contributory Health Commission led by Dr. Isaac Akpoveta. “The insurance premium is N7,000 per year, covering the rider, his wife, and four children. From the daily dues, a portion will go into this scheme so that our members can access healthcare when needed,” he said.
He also announced that the union had plans to acquire 20,000 brand new motorcycles from China to support registered members. “We will distribute these motorcycles at no cost to verified members who possess a union identity card and a valid rider’s licence,” he said.
To ensure transparency, Bobi said MOUN had set up a monitoring task force that would oversee ticket sales and prevent illegal collections, adding that the leadership’s contact numbers would be made available to riders for reporting any misconduct.
He further assured that the union’s presence would help curb harassment of riders by security operatives, stressing that MOUN would serve as an umbrella body to defend and represent the interests of all motorcycle operators in the state.
“The harassment of Okada riders by some security agents will stop. We will protect our members and engage the authorities to ensure fairness,” Bobi said.
While clarifying that the collection applies only to motorcycle riders, he noted that tricycle operators were not part of the exercise since they were not members of MOUN. “Our collection starts Thursday, November 13, and only motorcycle riders are involved,” he emphasized.
He concluded that MOUN had developed a comprehensive database of its members to ensure accountability and proper coordination across all local government areas of the state.
