The Ogun State Government has ordered unapproved commercial motorcycle operators’ associations across the state to immediately stop collecting taxes, levies, subscriptions and other government-related revenues from motorcycle operators.
The directive is part of a fresh crackdown on groups operating outside the state’s approved regulatory framework for commercial motorcycle transportation.
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.
It specifically identified ANACOWA, AKMODE Transport Limited and other parallel motorcycle operators’ associations as unauthorised groups.
According to the government, the affected organisations have no approval from the Ogun State Ministry of Transportation to conduct commercial motorcycle revenue activities on public roads and parks.
It also said they were not authorised by the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service to collect personal income tax or other government levies from their members.
The government warned that the continued activities of unapproved associations could weaken the regulation of commercial motorcycle transportation, disrupt public order and facilitate the illegal collection of revenues meant for the state.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade.
The government also sought to clarify the legal basis being cited by some of the affected associations, particularly AKMODE Transport Limited, which has relied on a March 28, 2023 judgment delivered by Justice Akinyemi.
It said the judgment affirmed the constitutional right to freedom of association through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission but did not amount to a licence for the affected groups to operate commercial motorcycle businesses in public spaces.
The state further maintained that the judgment did not authorise the collection of government revenues or invalidate its policy for licensing and regulating commercial motorcycle operations.
It stressed that registration with the CAC merely gives an organisation legal personality and does not automatically confer regulatory approval to conduct commercial motorcycle operations or collect taxes and other government revenues.
The government said citizens retain the constitutional right to establish or belong to associations but noted that such a right does not constitute an automatic licence to conduct regulated commercial activities without obtaining the necessary permits, approvals and licences from the relevant authorities.
Consequently, ANACOWA, AKMODE Transport Limited and other unapproved motorcycle associations were directed to immediately cease revenue collection and other unauthorised activities in public spaces throughout Ogun State.
The government warned that any continued operation by the affected groups would be regarded as a breach of the state’s regulatory framework and a challenge to constituted authority.
It, however, assured residents and stakeholders that enforcement would be conducted professionally, peacefully and within the provisions of the law.
The Ministry of Information was directed to begin immediate public enlightenment on the directive, while relevant security and enforcement agencies were ordered to commence simultaneous implementation.
The government said the police and other authorised agencies would take lawful action against individuals or groups found violating the directive.
Such actions, where legally permissible, could include the arrest of persons reasonably suspected of committing offences, seizure or impoundment of property and prosecution before the appropriate authorities.
The state consequently advised commercial motorcycle operators and members of the public against paying taxes, levies, subscriptions or other government-related charges to associations or individuals not duly authorised by the government.
It urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the authorities, saying compliance with the directive would help establish a properly regulated, orderly and lawful commercial motorcycle transportation system across Ogun State.
