The Ogun State Government has commenced a crackdown on unapproved motorcycle operators’ associations operating across the state, directing them to immediately stop the collection of revenues, levies and other government-related charges from commercial motorcycle operators.
The government said only three associations — ROMO, AMORAN and ACCOMORAN — are currently recognised and authorised to operate on public roads and parks across Ogun State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government described the activities of unapproved associations as a violation of the state’s regulatory framework.
It warned that the continued activities of the groups could undermine the regulation of commercial motorcycle transportation, threaten public peace and order, and result in the illegal collection of revenues meant for the government.
The state government also clarified that the affected associations had no authorisation from the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service to collect personal income tax or any government levies from their members.
It said registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission did not automatically give an association permission to engage in regulated commercial motorcycle operations or collect government revenue.
“Registration of an association with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) only confers legal personality on the organisation and does not, in itself, constitute a licence to engage in regulated commercial motorcycle operations or authorise the collection of taxes and other government revenues in the state,” the statement said.
The government acknowledged that citizens have a constitutional right to form or belong to associations but stressed that such a right does not amount to an automatic licence to carry out regulated commercial activities.
“While citizens have a constitutional right to form or belong to associations, such a right does not confer an automatic licence to undertake regulated commercial activities without the necessary approvals, permits and licences from the relevant government authorities,” it added.
The state government also addressed a March 28, 2023 judgment delivered by Justice Akinyemi, which has reportedly been cited by AKMODE Transport Limited and other affected groups to justify their operations.
The government maintained that the existence of the judgment did not override the regulatory requirements governing commercial motorcycle operations and revenue collection in the state.
It warned all unapproved associations to cease their activities and comply with the state’s existing regulatory framework.
