Some commercial motorcyclists in Abuja have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to rescind the proposed ban on their activities across the country.

A cross-section of them told journalists on Monday in Abuja that the planned ban would affect them heavily ”because it is their only source of livelihood.”

Abubakar Mahmud, chairman, commercial motorcyclists in Jikwoyi, said the proposed ban on motorcycles would render them unemployed.

“Truly, if the government goes on to ban commercial motorcycles, there will be nothing to sustain millions of commercial motorcycle riders in the country as this is our only means of livelihood and survival.

“That is why we are begging the federal government to rescind the idea of banning commercial motorcycles.

“Or in the alternative, the government should provide us with another means of livelihood so that we can take care of our families before banning the commercial motorcycles,” he said.

Mr Mahmud said commercial motorcycles generate employment for millions of Nigerians who cannot get white-collar jobs.

Anita Chimaobi, a resident of Jikwoyi, who patronises motorcycles for her transportation, said the proposed ban would affect her so much “because she won’t be able to afford other means of transportation due to their high prices”.

“I don’t make sales every day, but I have to go home to meet my family and motorcycles are my most affordable means of transportation.”

Ekene Ike, another motorcyclist in Karu, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed ban on commercial motorcycles by the federal government and urged the government not to effect the ban.

”If the federal government goes into effect the ban, I won’t be able to raise money for my education,” he said. ”It is through motorcycles that I am earning my living and paying for my school fees.’’

Mr Ike said the only way the federal government could succeed in the proposed ban of motorcycles without making millions of motorcyclists jobless was to create more employment opportunities.

On July 21, the federal government said it was considering a nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, as well as mining activities in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country.

(NAN)