NLC registers new union, solicits government’s recognition

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has registered a new affiliate union, Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) to serve as the official umbrella body of motorcycle operators nationwide.

This development was made known by Okoro Ogbonnaya, Abia State Chairman of NLC while introducing the executive members of the newly registered motorcycle union to journalists in Umuahia on Wednesday.

He said that the new trade union was registered under the provisions of Trade Union Act CAP .T. 14 of 2004 as amended by Trade Unions (Amendment) Act 2005.

He appealed to governments at all level, security agencies and the general public to recognize the new body.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, Chukwunyere Egwim, said his union would develop a database of all motorcycle riders in Abia State in order to rid the business of criminals.

According to him, any okada rider discovered to be involved in criminal activities or disobeying Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) rules would be fished out and punished under the law.

“There are many bad things going on in the business. We will ensure that the health conditions of okada riders are ascertained before allowing them to operate,” he said.

Egwim however cautioned that motorcycle riders who evacuate passengers and farm produce from the hinterlands should not be neglected by the state government even as he promised to ensure that his members obey government’s restrictions in the cities.