Lagos Government, Thursday, suspended activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) in all parks and garages in the state.
The decision follows the supremacy tussle between the state chapter of the transport workers union headed by Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) and the national body, which prompted the Commissioner of Police in the state to direct Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to beef up security around stations and motor parks.
The NURTW had earlier on Thursday suspended the Lagos chapter chairman, Akinsanya over misconduct, with the latter issuing a statement withdrawing his group from the national body, even as he called on the Lagos Government to take over the running of the motor parks in the state.
“In view of this and the crisis at hand, Lagos State Government is hereby invited to consider its white paper on Transport Union activities, 2004 section 5C, which states that the Government should take over the management of any garage or motor park where there is a crisis until such is resolved by the consultative committee.
“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,” Akinsanya said.
In assuming control of the motor parks and garages, the Lagos Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, Thursday, explained that the government ‘has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors’ which informed the takeover.
“The Lagos State Government has been watching closely events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW). There have been claims and counter claims over the control of the union.
“The Government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors. “Therefore, there is an urgent need 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,” the statement read.