The Zamfara State chapter of the Motorcycle Dealers Association has lamented the low patronage.
In an interview with the DAILY POST in Gusau, the state capital, the association’s president, Alhaji Tanko Muhammad, speaking through its vice-president, Jamilu Musa, blamed the low patronage on economic challenges.
He explained that the motorcycle that used to sell for N230,000 now costs N480,000.
According to him, the state government does not sponsor the association apart from the mandate of the first executive governor, Alhaji Ahmad Sani Yarima.
He said the first Executive Governor gave the association a contract to buy 1000 motorcycles which he said were distributed to youth for self-sufficiency.
“We only trust politicians who buy motorcycles for their supporters in the name of politics,” he said.
When asked about buying stolen motorcycles, the president lamented that the association has a policy in place before they can buy any used motorcycles, saying they don’t buy them without proper investigation.
The president added that the association has to collect the motorcycle documents before requiring people who can identify the seller in their area to prove that the motorcycle belongs to them.
“After the Union leaders are satisfied that the motorcycle really belongs to the owner, then the owner can be paid.
“And before any payment is made, security operatives must be present. We do not make any payments without the knowledge of the police for proper documentation.
“The last two weeks, a person brought a used motorcycle for us to buy, but during the interrogation it was discovered that the motorcycle was stolen and we quickly invited the police and they arrested him.
“During the interrogation process, he confessed that the motorcycle was stolen in the Bukkuyum local government area of the state.”
Speaking further, Muhammad explained that sometimes, some people inform them that their motorcycles have been stolen. He said that after proper checks, the motorcycles are released if their claims are confirmed to be true.
