Oyo operators plead for release of Keke NAPEP

In Oyo State, the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria has appealed to the state government to reverse the sanction meted out to some of its members, who breached the tricycle repayment plan put in place by the administration.

The state government in April, 2012, gave out some tricycles to ACOMORAN members in the state at the rate of N346,000, with an instalment repayment plan put in place. But the beneficiaries were later said to have defaulted in payment.

The General Secretary of ACOMORAN in the state, Abimbola Oyediran, said, “Oyo State Government in April, 2012, gave out some Keke Napep tricycles at the rate of N346,000 through the ACOMORAN executives, who in turn gave to members at the rate of N420,000,

“The members paid an initial deposit of N40,000, with subsequent payments spread over period of eight months. The repayment schedule lapsed in November, 2012, but the beneficiaries are yet to complete the repayment. That is why the state government seized all the tricycles.”

He said some members had already paid 80 per cent of the money as of November 2012, when the agreement in the Memorandum of Understand between the association and the state government lapsed.

He, however, added, “Despite this, government still seized all the alloted 600 tricycles due to the default in the agreement signed.”

“Some executive members were allegedly involved in a scandal, which led to their suspension. The state government through the state Commissioner for Environment, Lowo Obisesan, said the beneficiaries were owing government about N99m.

“We are appealing to the state government to release the tricycles while investigations are ongoing on the factors leading to the default. This will ease the problem of our members, whose livelihood depends on the tricycles”.

According to him, two members of the executive of ACOMORAN were arrested on July 25 by the state Criminal Investigation Department in connection with the issue.

Obisesan said, “We gave out the tricycles in order to alleviate poverty. The beneficiaries failed to pay up so we decided to collect them back. We pleaded with them to pay up but they refused to yield.

“Let them do the right thing and pay up. We can sort this thing out if they show seriousness. They owe the state government to the tune of N450m. It is no free cake as usual”.