BEVERLY HILLS, June 05, (THEWILL) – A week after the killing of a leader of Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State, MOALS, at Oshodi, Alhaji Rasaq Bello aka Hamburger, during APC ward primaries, the Lagos state government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in all the seven branches in the area indefinitely.
The Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, told newsmen on Monday that the decision was taken after due consultation with all the relevant stakeholders concerning the crisis, and that it would remain in force until peace and tranquillity returned to the area. The affected branches are LOB A, LOB D, LOB J, Oshodi A, Oshodi B, Oshodi C and Oshodi D.
Elegushi added that throughout the duration of the suspension order, a team of state government officials and security personnel would be mandated to oversee and monitor the transport operations within the affected branches to ensure they do not collect any ticket or fees from transport operators.
According to him, “The lifting of the ban would only be based on appropriate security reports. For the avoidance of doubt, police investigations are ongoing on the said death and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in line with the dictates of the law.
“It is important to also emphasis that all rumour mongering, insinuations and unfounded/unverified facts should be avoided in the sake of peaceful co-existence.”
THEWILL recalls that following the gunning down of Bello, the police arrested the factional leaders of the NURTW and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and their supporters causing trouble around the area.
Elegushi revealed that as part of the strategies to permanently address incessant crisis arising from activities of transport unions, government had already put in place the Bus Reform Initiative, BRI, through which 5,000 air-conditioned and convenient buses would be injected into the transport sector.
On his part, the state NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, said the union was in support of the decision to suspend all union activities at Oshodi indefinitely, agreeing that the union was adequately consulted before the action was taken.
“I like to confirm that the decision of the state government to suspend union activities in Oshodi was supported by us. We also want a lasting peace in Oshodi and we know that with this decision, people can go about their duties without let or hindrance,” he said.
