The Lagos State government has announced the suspension of all activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) from motor parks in the state.
The government disclosed this in a statement issued by the commissioner for information and strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
According to the commissioner, the governments was aware of the claims and counter claims over the control of the union and decided to suspend the union in order to “douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.”
“After considering the provisions of the law, the government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.
“The government will set up a committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.
“The government’s position is premised on its responsibility to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in Lagos State,” Omotoso stated.
It would be recalled that the national body of NURTW had yesterday announced the indefinite suspension of its Lagos State chapter chairman, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, following weeks of protracted conflict and leadership tussle.
The national body accused Akinsanya of alleged intimidation, harassment, and assault of the newly-appointed chairman, Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), Mr. Azeez Abiola, aka Istijabah but Akinsanya refuted the allegation.
Consequently, Akinsanya at a press conference at the NURTW secretariat in the Agege announced his withdrawal and that of his members from the union.
He said in a statement entitled ‘Crisis in NURTW’ that the withdrawal was meant to allow “peace to reign in Lagos State.”
Akinsanya therefore asked the state government to take over the running of all parks and garages in the state till peace returned to the union.
“We hereby call on Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the union with the Constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and parks in the state, thereby ensuring peace and tranquility, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State,” he stated.
