Abiodun Nejo
Commercial motorcycle operators in Ado Ekiti on Monday trooped in their numbers to Mobil Petrol Station in the Ajilosun area of the state capital to benefit in the free fuel provided for them by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Each of the bike operators got five litres of fuel in the scheme which continues on Tuesday.
Specifically, the free fuel is for that okada operators who decorated their bikes with posters of Fayemi, is for them to convey passengers free of charge.
The filling station was besieged by the riders as soon as the news spread that free fuel was being supplied at the outlet.
The APC candidate urged the riders not to collect transport fare from the commuters they would be conveying.
Fayemi’s appearance at about 10.45 am turned the filling station to a carnival as the riders hailed his gesture and recalled what he did for their unions during his first tenure.
The APC candidate urged the riders to ignore allegation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) camp that he would ban commercial motorcycle operations if he wins the July 14 poll.
Fayemi said that rather than ban the okada business, he would give the operators more incentives including soft loans, equipment and provide good roads to aid their operation.
Recalling some of the goodies enjoyed by the riders during his first term, Fayemi revealed that he procured 280 motorcycles, 500 tricycles for them and gave their union a brand new bus.
He added that his government which was in office between 2010 and 2014 gave the riders unions 150,000 monthly allowance for logistics and running of their office.
Fayemi also revealed that his first administration celebrated Okada Riders’ Day, for the first time in the state’s history an also provided 3,000 free helmets for their use.
A beneficiary, Segun Fowobaje, hailed Fayemi for the free fuel supply which he said would add value to their business.
