Abuja – The National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (NATOMORAS) has commenced biometrics data capturing of its members in Abuja.

Alhaji Usman Gwoza, chairman of the association, told newsmen while inaugurating the ceremony on Monday that the measure was to assist security agencies to identify their members easily.

Gwoza added that the biometrics data capturing would ensure some level of restriction on the activities of the operators.

He solicited the support of the FCT Administration through its Transport Secretariat to support the programme and make it sustainable.

“We humbly request that government and security agencies should help us to enforce this scheme.

“We need at least three Hilux Trucks to help us monitor compliance with the FCT transport regulation as it affects our members in all the six area councils,” Gwoza said.

The chairman said the Tricycle and Keke NAPEP operators were contributing to the economic growth of the FCT, adding: “keke riders are not miscreants”.

“The notion that `Okada riders’ are miscreants is not true; we have among us graduates and responsible husbands and fathers,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the association’s legal adviser, Mr Nkereuwem Akpan, said the exercise would enhance greater partnership between the association and the FCTA transport sector.

“The transport department of the FCTA now, by this development, has a tool with which to foster greater control, proper coordination and sufficient monitoring of the operators,” he said.

/NAN