NLC Registers New Affiliate Union In Abia

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 was disclosed by comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya NLC chairman, Abia state chapter while announcing the executive members of the 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 levels, security agencies and the general public to recognize the new body.

“By virtue of this registration, MOUN has become the only official government-recognised umbrella body for all motorcycle operations Nationwide.

“The registration is a directive from our parent body, Abuja.

“We solicit for government, security agencies, and the general public support and ask that you extend a hand of partnership to the union and its leadership to achieve success and a seamless kick-off of operations in the state.

“We urge all motorcycle unions, operators, and motorcycle unions to register with the union”.

Addressing newsmen after the registration, the Chairman of MOUN 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.

“The database will enable us to know ourselves and checkmate our members. We will ensure they do the right thing as some start the business without getting Federal Road Safety Corps numbers.

“So many things will be put right and we are ready to contribute by raising the state revenue.

“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.