The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)

  • Police, NURTW members clash in Ibadan

    Police, NURTW members clash in Ibadan

    Peace was Friday disrupted in Felele area of Ibadan as commercial drivers engage the police in a free for all.

    The incident left in its toll, a policeman and a commercial driver seriously injured during a clash between some members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and policemen said to be on patrol duty within the vicinity.

    According to information gathered, the two injured were presently receiving treatment in different hospitals in the capital city. They are said to be responding to treatment, contrary to speculations that the commercial driver was beaten to death by the police, which triggered the reprisal, Friday.

    Sources privy to the scene of the incident explained that a clash had occurred at Felele Junction in Ibadan, Lagos-lbadan Expressway, on Thursday evening, and shortly thereafter, speculations pervaded the entire axis that policemen had beaten a commercial driver mercilessly and hit him with the butt of his gun, which led to the death of the driver as he was being taken to a hospital for treatment.

    The commercial driver was said to have been driving his Micra cab on the highway when a police patrol vehicle surfaced behind him. As gathered, “the commercial driver did not clear off the road on time for the police vehicle to pass. In the process, a minor crash occurred between the police patrol vehicle and the Micra cab”, a source said

    The policemen were said to have allegedly stepped out of their vehicle and pounced on the commercial driver, which made the other commercial cab operators in the axis gathered and attacked the policemen. A policeman and another driver were said to have been injured in the ensuing melee.

    However, the whole axis was tension soaked, Friday morning and afternoon, as rumours went around the town that a commercial driver gave up the ghost in the clash between the NURTW members and police. Not long, the tension spread to other parts of the state including, Felele, Soka and Iwo Road Roundabout in Ibadan as there were unconfirmed reports of exchange of gunfire between the transport workers and the police.

    But the state’s Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, in a telephone chat yesterday, confirmed that the commercial driver did not die, saying a team of NURTW officials had visited the driver in the hospital. He also denied any altercation or exchange of gunshot between his men and the police.

    He said, “The police are our friend. It was a little misunderstanding and we have resolved it. It is untrue that there were clashes between the police and our members in some parts of Ibadan today (Friday). It is also not true that NURTW members and the police engaged in a gun duel. The misunderstanding occurred on Thursday evening and it was resolved that same day.”

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, a Superintendent of Police, also explained that the incident occurred as a fallout of a minor accident that occurred at Felele Junction between the police vehicle and the Micra cab.

    He confirmed that a policeman and the driver were injured during the incident and they were taken to the hospital, saying “the driver did not die as being speculated. In fact, he is responding to treatment, and so is the injured policeman.”

    He, however, did not confirm whether an arrest has been made in connection with the incident but assured that the police are on top of the matter.

  • Immortalise late Justice Obaseki, NURTW tells Edo Govt

    Immortalise late Justice Obaseki, NURTW tells Edo Govt

    …As Dangote, Oshiomhole pay tribute

     

    National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Edo State government to immortalise late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki.

    Late Justice Obaseki served as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria at various times and retired as a Supreme Court justice in 1991.

    He died on July 13 and was interred Friday beside the tomb of his father, late Gauis Ikhuobase Obaseki, in Benin City.

    State Chairman of NURTW, Chief Odion Olaye, who spoke at the interment of Justice Obaseki said law institutions in the state should be named after Justice Obaseki because of landmark judgments he delivered.

    Chief Olaye stated that the late Justice Obaseki left a good legacy in the law profession.

    According to him, “He was a man of his words. He believed in the truth which was why he served the country in various capacities until he retired as a Supreme Court judge.”

    Africa richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, described the late Justice Obaseki as an upright man whose name should not be rubbished.

    Alhaji Dangote urged Edo residents to produce more late Justice Obaseki.

    Former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said Justice Obaseki represented the finest tradition of judges who in their time delivered judgement in its purest form.

    “As a small boy in Kaduna, there were notable judgments you could memorise. He is an emboldenment of our culture and symbol of truth.”

    His eldest son, Edosa, said his father’s legacies of love for family, humility and personal integrity were priceless.

    He stated that his father’s generosity and encouragement were felt far and wide.

     

  • Two injured as NURTW, RTEAN members clash in Ondo

    Two injured as NURTW, RTEAN members clash in Ondo

    Two members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ondo town Tuesday reportedly sustained injuries, following a bloody clash between them and their rival National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    One of the victims, Gbenro Ikusika who was on admissspoke at  the Ondo State Specialist Hospital,alleged that the attackers suspected to be members of the NURTW and led by the branch chairman of the Ondo/Ore unit, Oladele Tolulope.

    He alleged that his members were in the park located at Lipakala junction at about 8.30am shortly after observing their morning prayers, adding that the attackers loaded in three Toyota Hiace buses  with dangerous weapons such as cutlases, bottles, cudgels and others inflicted injuries on them.

    Another unit chairman of RTEAN, at Civic Centre area.Ifedayo Akinneye, claimed that the attackers who were members of the NURTW also assaulted them and destroyed their office within the park.

    Thehe branch chairman of the Union,Oladele Tolulope, confirmed the attack,stressing that the directive was from State council of the Union.

    Tolulope disclosed that the move was part of the activities of the NURTW to bring back their members who have left the union for another rival transport group.

    Blood stains and broken bottles littered the spot where the warring drivers clashed.

    A detachment of police officers from the Funbi-Fagun division and men of the Department of the State Security (DSS) were on hand to maintain peace.

    he Chairman and the General Secretary of Ondo branch of RTEAN, Alhaji Sebeeni Obadun  and Henry Ogungbemi described the the attack  as unfortunate.

    They alleged that the attack was launched in all RTEAN parks in the town.

    The RTEAN leaders urged the State Government to intervene and their fleeing members returned home to continue with their daily activities.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Funbi-Fagun Division, Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) said six members of the two rival unions have been arrested and detained.

    He added that they would be transferred to the State police Command, Akure for further investigations.

  • NURTW wants FG to revive moribund tyre companies

    NURTW wants FG to revive moribund tyre companies

    Alhaji lssa Ore, the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kwara branch, on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to revive the moribund tyre manufacturing companies in the country.

    Ore told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that this would curb the importers of tyres from importing fairly-used ones.

    He also said that it would reduce the rate of motor accidents on the country’s highways.

    The NURTW chairman urged the Federal Government to enter into negotiations with Dunlop, Michelin and other tyre manufactures with a view to returning to the country and resume productions.

    He condemned the imported tyres popularly called ‘tokunboh’ tyres now widely being used in the country by motorists.

    He described them as being substandard and not suitable for the nation’s weather conditions and roads.

    “The Federal Government must revive the moribund tyre manufacturing industries in the country to save the lives of Nigerians”, Ore said.

    The NURTW chairman also appealed to the Federal Government to assist the various indigenous tyre producers in the country financially.

    He said that would make them to be able to produce tyres that would be suitable for the nation’s road and reduce the rate of vehicular accidents usually recorded on annual basis.

    According to him, over 70 per cent of accidents involving vehicles that occurred in various parts of the country were attributed to tyre burst from speeding.

    The NURTW chairman advised motorists, especially, commercial vehicle operators to desist from using fairly- used tyres.

    He also advised them to always abide by traffic rules and regulations so as to reduce cases of road accidents in the country.

    NAN reports that the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, at a wet- season mega rally held in llorin recently said that statistics showed that the country was recording 5,000 road accidents annually.

    He attributed the high rate to the use of substandard tyres, especially, by commercial vehicle operators.

  • 100 days: Residents of Ondo commend Akeredolu, want more benefits of democracy

    100 days: Residents of Ondo commend Akeredolu, want more benefits of democracy

    Some residents of Ondo State have urged Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to ensure more benefits of democracy for the people as the government celebrates its 100 days in office.

    Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who emerged the winner of the Nov. 26, 2016 Governorship Election, was inaugurated as the sixth executive governor of the state on Feb. 24.

    The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Okitipupa, Ondo State, commended the governor for his achievements in 100 days in power.

    They urged the governor not to rest on his oars but ensure he fulfilled all his electioneering promises to the people.

    A civil servant, Mr Wole Akinjuyigbe, who praised the state government for paying salaries of workers, urged the governor to revive all moribund industries.

    “Gov. Akeredolu is God-sent to this state but l urge him to help resuscitate all our dead factories; Okitipupa Oil Palm, Oluwa Glass, Cocoa industries and others,” he said.

    A hairdresser, Mrs Adenike Akinbobola, who also commended the government’s performance, urged the governor to urgently address the epileptic power supply in the southern part of the state.

    “We have been in total darkness for the past three years now, this has really affected our businesses, l urge our governor to help us,” she said.

    A trader, Mrs Morenike Idris, urged Akeredolu to give more political appointments to women in his administration.

    She contended that women deserved more involvement in view of their contributions to the governor’s victory at the poll.

    Mr Omowaire Odusola, a lawyer urged the governor to take urgent steps toward youth empowerment to reduce social vices in the society.

    “We hear so many cases of criminal activities being perpetrated by the youth, this is the outcome of unemployment; our governor should address this issue,” Odusola said.

    Mr Sola Ikuidowo, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okitipupa chapter, also said  Akeredolu had performed well in his 100 days in office.

    “We all felt his presence since his assumption of office, in spite of paucity of funds he completed some roads abandoned by previous government; this is a plus for him,” he said.

    Mr Tajudeen Akanbi, the Chairman, Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association (ACCOMORAN), Okitipupa chapter also lauded the governor’s performance.

    “I think the governor has performed well, the peace we the  okada riders are experiencing now was not there before because we were being chased here and there for multiple taxes,’’ Akanbi said.

    A chieftain of APC, Mr Wole Akeremale said that the Akeredolu’s administration had brought smiles to faces of many citizens in the state.

    Akeremale noted the prompt payment of salaries, road network constructions, support for education, renewal of the forestation policies and agricultural empowerment to youths as part of the government’s achievements.

  • Rainy season: NURTW caution drivers against reckless driving

    Rainy season: NURTW caution drivers against reckless driving

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Nasarawa State chapter, has advised motorists against over speeding and reckless driving to prevent accidents during the rainy season.

    Alhaji Salihu Adamu, the state NURTW Chairman, gave this advice on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen after he paid homage to the Osu Agwada, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, in his palace at Agwada, Agwada Development Area of the state.

    He said that the visit was to seek for his royal blessings and support to enable the union succeed.

    Adamu also advised passengers to always call the attention of drivers while speeding, driving recklessly and overtaking wrongfully for their safety.

    “Members of our union and motorists generally should always observe traffic rules and regulations and avoid reckless driving, speeding and wrongful overtaking to avoid unnecessary accidents especially now that rainy season has set in,’’ he said.

    Adamu attributed the high rate of road crashes in the country to over speeding and reckless driving.

    He, therefore, urged motorists to avoid speeding in the interest of their lives and the lives of other road users.

    The chairman restated the commitment of the union to continue to sensitise its members in order to obey traffic rules and regulations as well as support government policies on transportation.

    “We will not relent in our efforts in educating, advising and sensitising our members and other motorists on the need to do the right thing while driving, as we are working to minimise road crashes,” he added.

    The chairman appreciated the people of the area for their support towards the activities of the union in the state and called for its sustenance.

    Also speaking, Alhaji Abubakar Kana (APC-Kokona West) state constituency, expressed gratitude to the state leadership of the union for approving a branch of the union in the area.

    He said that he would continue to collaborate with the members of the union in order to boost transportation system in the area and the state at large.

    Earlier, Sadiq, who is the paramount traditional ruler of Agwada chiefdom, urged members of the union to continue to be law abiding and respect constituted authorities in the interest of peace.

  •  Edo drivers commend new tax system

     Edo drivers commend new tax system

    Members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo state have commended the state government for its introduction of a new taxation policy to collect levies from commercial drivers.

    They said the government policy has not only sanitized the system but has also saved them from harassments they hitherto faced from those previously saddled with the responsibility of collecting the taxes.

    A taxi driver at the Ikpoba Hill motor park, Mr. Courage Omeben, who commended the peaceful manner adopted by the government tax collectors in the collection of the levies, also advised commercial drivers in the state to cooperate with the government by paying their taxes willingly and promptly.

    He said, “The establishment of government tax force to collect taxes from commercial drivers in Edo state is a welcome development for us. Prior to the inauguration of the force, we usually faced different kinds of harassment from area boys who used to collect the money from us. Before, if those people ask you for money and you don’t give them, they would fight you and even break your side mirror.

    “The approach now being used by the government tax force is very good. Even if you don’t want to pay the way and manner they would use to approach you would make you to pay. As you pay, they give you receipts. I want to appeal to other commercial drivers in the state to cooperate with the task force for prompt and easy collection of the levies”.

    Another commercial bus driver, Edos Oyaruwa noted that the introduction of government task force for the collection of taxes from commercial drivers in the state has stopped extortion of the drivers.

    He lamented that many drivers used to pay exorbitant and multiple fees for taxes.

    “Before we used to pay between 1500 to 1600 to tax collectors at different locations. But now, the highest we pay daily is 200. Once we pay that, nobody will ask us for money again till the following day, “he said.

    Meanwhile, a commercial driver, Osaghe Pedro who also commended the tax system has urged the state government to build motor-parks for commercial drivers in the state. He lamented that very few commercial bus operators have motor parks in the state.

    He noted that the essence of paying taxes is for the government to provide some infrastructures such as motor parks for commercial drivers.

    Commenting on the level of compliance by the drivers, a member of the task force at Oredo local government Area, Etinosa Uyinmwen said although some of the drivers do comply with the government tax collectors, but majority of them try to escape the payment by giving one excuse or the other.

    It would be recalled that on January 1st, 2017, Governor Godwin Obaseki outlawed the use of private revenue collectors in the state.

    He introduced the cash less system and ensured that only staff of local government councils are used to collect the taxes.

    Obaseki recently acknowledged that the revenue base of the state has risen with the new system as N500,000 was being realised from nine points in Oredo local government whereas only N45,000 was remitted from the nine points.

     

     

  • Obaseki promises open administration

    Obaseki promises open administration

    Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo has promised to operate an open door policy and commended workers in the State for the trust they have in his administration.

    The governor spoke at a dinner on Monday night to felicitate with members of the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 2017 May Day.

    The dinner was held alongside an award night organised by the Edo chapters of NLC and TUC.

    The governor assured that he would operate an open door policy with them provided they continued to have confidence in his administration.

    “Nothing good thrives in a community where there is no trust, you have given me your trust and I will not betray that trust.

    “Today marks a new dawn, I want to be able to look back and say while I was a governor, I never had an incident of strike.

    “As long as you trust me, I will put every issue in front of you for dialogue”, he said.

    Obaseki promised the workers that the hosting of the Workers Day dinner would be a yearly event.

    The governor said his government did not the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), from collecting dues and levies from its members in the state.

    He said the present administration had adopted electronic system for revenue collection sequel to the ban on collection of taxes and levies by non government agents.

    Obaseki explained that the technology was being test run so that the union would start collection of tax and levies from its members via electronic payment before the end of May.

    The governor also commended leaders of the labour unions for the presentation of awards to outstanding personalities who he said had contributed immensely to the development of the state.

    Chairmen of the NLC and TUC in Edo, Emmanuel Ademokun and Marshall Orhue commended Obaseki for hosting the unions’ members to a dinner after gracing the May Day celebration earlier in the day.

    The duo said that the dinner went to show that the governor was workers friendly.

    They added that the labour unions working with the state government would build a stronger Edo state.

    Former Gov. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu and immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Julius Ihonvbere were honoured.

    The organisers of the award said it was a tradition of the labour unions to present awards of excellence to outstanding Nigerians during workers day celebration.

  • We won’t increase fares during Easter celebration – NURTW

    We won’t increase fares during Easter celebration – NURTW

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okitipupa Chapter in Ondo State, says its members will not increase transport fares during the Easter celebrations.

    Mr Sola Ikuidowo, the NURTW Chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Okitipupa that they would not compound the current economic challenges the people were facing with high transport fares.

    “Transport fares in the motor parks will remain the same this Easter because we don’t want to add to the economic challenges of travelers.

    “Our drivers have been sensitised to obey all traffic rules, travelers will enjoy their journey with our buses,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that buses going from Okitipupa to Ore, Akure, Ibadan and Ijebu-Ode charge N300, N1, 200, N1, 500 and N1, 800 respectively.

    Trips from Okitipupa to Sagamu, Lagos, Onitsha, Calabar, Warri and Abuja cost N1, 600, N1, 800, N1, 800, N2, 200, N2, 500 and N5, 500 respectively.

    Ikuidowo said that the chapter had reminded its members to avoid exceeding speed limits, over loading,and dangerous driving.

    He said that vehicles from their motor parks are safe, advising commuters not to board vehicles by the expressway.

    The NURTW chairman urged drivers to treat passengers with respect, ensure they drive with valid driver’s’ licence and to use the association’s identity cards as stipulated by union.

  • Akeredolu to work with NURTW to promote peace

    Akeredolu to work with NURTW to promote peace

    The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has assured the state’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that his government will partner with it to promote peace in the state.

    The governor gave the assurance on Monday in Akure when members of the union led by its National President, Alhaji Usman Yasin, visited him.

    He stressed that he would not interfere in the affairs of the union, but would ensure that peace continued to reign in the state.

    Akeredolu, however, added that whoever emerged as the union`s   chairman in the state must work with security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and properties.

    The former chairman of the union in the state, Mr Ariyo Adetula, had earlier this month resigned.nurtw

    The governor also said there was no cause for clashes between NURTW members and their counterparts in the  Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

    He commended the national leadership of the two unions for maintaining peace in the state.

    Earlier, Yasin had thanked the governor for supporting the union`s activities and assured that it would support the state government to promote peace and development in the state.