The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Union of Road Transport Workers

  • Fayose condemns ‘blockade’ of Ekiti govt house

    Says APC filled stadium with ‘hired’ crowd

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has accused the Federal Government of blocking the gate of the Ekiti State Government House with security forces on Tuesday.

    Riot policemen prevented vehicles from going in and out of the Government House but allowed pedestrians to gain access into the facility.

    Drivers’ union members had dropped their vehicles at the Government House as directed by Fayose Monday night where an all-night party held till Tuesday despite the heavy deployment of security men.

    But pedestrians were allowed to go in with many going to join the Ekiti drivers unions who assembled at the government house since Monday night.

    A musician was on the band stand to entertain the commercial drivers and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members on ground.

    Fayose also mocked the APC final rally held same day accusing the party of importing outsiders from neighbouring states to fill the stadium.

    Addressing the crowd at the party, Fayose criticized the Federal Government for blocking the gates of the Government House with battle-ready riot policemen.

    Read Also: Fayose faults DSS crackdown on supporters

    The Ekiti governor described the development as “an abnormality.” He thanked his supporters for shaming the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government by appearing at the Government House despite the security presence.

    According to him, the presence of the crowd had proved to the APC that the masses were for him.

    Leaders of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Pickup and Lorry drivers Association of Nigeria (PLAN) and Okada Riders Association vowed to vote for PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola at Saturday’s governorship election.

    He also mocked the APC final rally held same day accusing the party of importing outsiders from neighbouring states to fill the stadium.

    Fayose said: “It is an abnormality to block the gates of the Government House.

    “If they say I gave instruction to drivers unions to withdraw their services, let the APC give a counter-instruction to them if they are popular.

    “They (security agencies) blocked gates of the government house because they don’t want people to come in but you shamed them by still coming.”

    “They brought them from Ondo, Kogi, Osun and other neighboring states, they are all foreigners. They have no voting strength.

    “I will stand up to you (APC) in the election, we will match them bumper to bumper.”

    Fayose also took berated the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for questioning the PhD degree of Olusola at the party’s mega rally in Ado-Ekiti.

    He advised Oshiomhole to ask the president to tender his certificate to Nigeria first before he could raise an issue about others.

    “The president was asked to tender his certificate, he hired Senior Advocates of Nigeria. They said it was enough for him to present tissue paper as certificate, that’s why he is not performing.”

  • Nasarawa bans street trading, hawking along Karu-Abuja expressway

    The Task Force charged with relocating traders to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu, in Nasarawa State, has banned trading and hawking along the Keffi-Karu-Abuja expressway.

    Mr Stanley Buba, Chairman of the Task Force, announced this on Monday in Karu, during a meeting with officials of the Traders and Marketers Association and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    Buba, also a Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Umaru Almakura, urged traders to move to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market in Karu, to boost sales and improve the state’s revenue base.

    “Traders must avoid street trading and hawking; they must move to the market to acquire spaces that will be allocated to them at no cost, on temporary basis.

    “When traders move into the market, traffic congestion will be reduced along the Karu-Abuja expressway,” he said.

    He warned that defaulters would face the full wrath of the law, and advised the traders to take advantage of the market to improve their business, fight poverty and end unemployment.

    Buba said that the ban would take full effect on May 1.

    He also warned commercial drivers against parking indiscriminately, saying that anyone caught would be penalised.

    Alhaji Shammasu Dantsoho, Chairman, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, in a speech at the meeting, promised to cooperate with the committee to ensure sanity in the market area.

    He also assured the committee that his union would educate and enlighten its members on government policies and the need to support them.

    NAN

  • NURTW chief donates mosque to Lagos community

    The Chairman, Lagos Island chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Abdul Azeez Adekunle Lawal, has inaugurated a multi-million naira juma’at mosque built for the community in Apogbon, under Lagos Island Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, the gesture was in memory of their loyal comrade member, the late Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Ayinla who died recently and also as part of activities marking his birthday anniversary.

    He said the mosque would serve Muslims in the area in the worship of Allah and in remembrance of the good work of their late diligent and committed comrade. He added that he would not relent in his efforts to support the work of Allah and the well-being of the poor.

    He also said it is God that helps one to realise his potential in life, even as he urged Islamic scholars present at the event to pray for the soul of the late Ayinla as well as for Allah to continue to give his wife, children and the entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    After leading the jumaat prayers at the new mosque, the Chief Missioner, Hisbunallahi International Prayer Group of Nigeria, Alhaji Surajudeen Akanni Asukuna commended Lawal for the gesture and contributions to the proclamation of Islam. He prayed that Allah would reward him abundantly.

    He described him as a great philanthropist that has been helping people, especially the downtrodden, adding that the donation of the mosque was a manifestation of his love for Allah and His works.  He said Allah would continue to bless him and his family as people continue to pray in the mosque.

    He appealed to his followers and other union members to emulate the spirit of turning a new leaf through doing the will of God, proclaiming His words, supporting His work, shunning thuggery and all forms of criminality.

    Some Islamic scholars and worshippers said Lawal’s  works of charity, even as they said  he developed the passion for supporting the needy, school children, widows and orphanage homes.

    They wish him happy birthday and prayed for Allah to bless him.

    Presents at the event were political stalwarts, captains of industry, NURTW chiefs across the state and market men and women, among others.

     

  • Ondo commends NURTW for promoting peace

    Ondo commends NURTW for promoting peace

    The Ondo State Government on Thursday commended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state for conducting its activities in a peaceful manner.

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu gave the commendation  in .Akure at  an empowerment programme organised by the union’s leadership to commemorate the one year anniversary of the governor’s administration.

    The News men reports that all registered female members of the union from the 18 local government areas of the state got N100,000 each under the union’s  initiative.

    Akeredolu expressed delight at the orderliness, discipline and peaceful conduct displayed by members of the union in the state since the inception of his administration.

    Read Also: NURTW chief hails police for arrest of suspected killers

    The governor also lauded the empowerment initiative, saying, “this union played a key role in maintaining peace in the state and boosting the economy through transportation.”

    “Our women must use the cash well motorists should not be known for violence, we will continue to support the union in our way,” he added.

    Earlier, Mr Jacob Adebo, the NURTW Chairman in the state, had thanked the governor for honouring the union by his visit.

    Adebo noted that the motive for empowering women in the union was to key into the state government’s policy of empowerment

    He pledged his administration would continue to encourage members who are interested in pursuing academic careers in order to boost the profile of the union.

    “No chairman has ever empowered women in the union before now. We are doing this to help our women who, mostly, are politicians so they can help themselves in businesses of their choice.

    “We also decided to print books to encourage our members to read and write in line with the governor’s passion for education,” he said.

    NAN

  • NURTW hails police for arrest of suspected killer

    NURTW hails police for arrest of suspected killer

    The Lagos state council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has commended the police for its efforts to arrest those alleged to be behind the killings of union members in the state.

    Chairman of the union Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, gave the commendation in a statement on the parade of one Rafiu Akanbi Olohunwa and Ade Lawyer by the police in connection with the killing of Ganiyu Pinero  at Idumota area of Lagos recently.

    During the parade, Ade lawyer was reported to have confessed to having killed four other men in the past.

    The state Chairman thanked the Police for exposing the alleged killers, urging the leadership of the Police not to relent in their efforts to get to the roots of the matter by ensuring that other people behind the killings of union members are exposed, adding that Alhaji Rafiu Akanbi Olohunwa had been expelled from the union following series of unlawful activities traced to him”, in the past.

    Read Also: I killed four persons for ex-NURTW boss, suspect alleges

    ” You see, Olohunwa and some others got into our union through the back door, but after some time,  their mission to cause confusion in the union was exposed and he was expelled from the union. His plans and that of his friends was  to create tension and to force the state government to descend on the union.

    “We thank God that their mission has been exposed”

    We appeal to the inspector General of Police to go after all those suspended to be involved in the killing of our people.

    “The people we have lost to the killers include People Hamburger from Oshodi, Mados Salawe etc.

    Police should help us get to the root of the matter. Our election is coming next year and these people if allowed to remain in our midst would continue to cause more havoc.

    Agbede stated that the union has absolute trust in the ability of the police to get to the roots of the matter to prevent future occurrence.

    He equally appealed to members of the union in the state not to take laws into their hands”, saying l will enjoin our members in the state to remain law abiding and co-operate with the police by furnishing them with information that can help their investigation”.

     

  • Bindow to appoint 20 NURTW members as Special Assistants

    Bindow to appoint 20 NURTW members as Special Assistants

    Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa has promised to appoint 20 members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) as Special Assistants in his administration.
    Bindow made the pledge while receiving members of the state chapter of the union who visited him on Thursday in Yola.

    The governor also approved two slots each for both Christians and Muslims for pilgrimage.

    “This is an all-inclusive government and l solicit collaboration with the union for efficient transport service delivery in the state,’’ the governor said.

    Earlier, Alhaji Bello Adamu, the state’s Chairman of the union, called for the inclusion of the union members in the core administration of the state.

    Adamu also appealed to the governor to make tents in motor parks to serve as shades for passengers and the union workers.

    Read Also: Bindow decries increase in arms banditry in Adamawa

    He said that the harsh temperature in the state posed a big challenge to commuters to patronise available motor parks.

    The union leader commended the governor for his tremendous provision of road infrastructure in the state.

    According to him, the union is the major beneficiary of the good road network across the state.

    Adamu pledged their support to the present administration and promised to support the re-election bid of the governor.

    NAN
     

     

  • CVR: INEC solicits stakeholders’ support in Niger

    CVR: INEC solicits stakeholders’ support in Niger

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Thursday solicited the support of stakeholders towards mobilising eligible residents to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    Prof. Samuel Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Niger made the appeal in an interview with the News men in Minna.

    He said active participation of stakeholders, especially traditional and religious leaders, would greatly assist the commission in capturing eligible voters.

    Egwu explained that INEC was currently rotating its personnel across the state to ensure that it registered all eligible residents.

    He said the personnel would also attend to voters seeking to transfer their voting units from where they were originally registered to other locations among others.

    Read Also:INEC  seeks collaboration with NIGCOMSAT for e-results

    “We have also reached out to leaders of political parties, development associations and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to fully mobilise their eligible members to register,” he said.

    Egwu also called on the mass media to initiate more enlightenment programmes that would help educate residents to get registered to enable them elect credible leaders during the 2019 general elections.

    The news men report that similar exercises were ongoing in other states of the country.

     NAN

  • NURTW leader calls for closure of illegal motor parks in P/Harcourt

    NURTW leader calls for closure of illegal motor parks in P/Harcourt

    Mr Stephen Orlu, the Chairman, Abali Park, a chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in Rivers, has called for the closure of illegal motor parks in Port Harcourt.

    Orlu told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the indiscriminate establishment of motor parks at different locations in the city was uncivilised.

    He urged the state Ministry of Transport to shut down all motor parks that were operating without the approval of the State Government.

    According to him, the development is compounding the already terrible traffic situation in Port Harcourt.

    “Motor parks are supposed to be strategically positioned in places where they will not affect traffic flow negatively.

    “Clearly, there are areas of the city that are not suitable for motor park operations but this is being violated to the detriment of the public,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Lekki Toll: No increase in transport fare says  NURTW

    The NURTW leader said that there were more than 40 motor parks operating illegally within the Port Harcourt metropolis.

    Orlu said that the situation had also created a situation where motor parks had turned a base for criminals.

    “This is not right, steps need to be taken to ensure that the right things are done in the interest of the state and its people,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    Mr Garba Ladi, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ),  Okene branch, Kogi has cautioned drivers against reckless driving during the yuletide to prevent accidents.

    The NURTW chairman gave the warning in an interview in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    Ladi warned drivers to avoid speeding and obey traffic laws before, during and after the yuletide.

    He also urged passengers to be alert always by ensuring they caution drivers when they violate traffic regulations.

    According to him, lives and properties of our members and passengers are more precious to the union and the nation, hence they need to work together to prevent accidents.

    “We should, therefore, not kill ourselves and others because of carelessness on the roads.

    “Our drivers must not be reckless behind the wheels and passengers must also caution drivers whenever they observe that drivers were becoming reckless on the roads for the benefit of all.

    “Safety is number one in our job. We can stop all preventable human and material losses on our roads.

    Read also: Yuletide: FG warns security agencies against traffic law violations

    “It is the union’s responsibility to sensitise its members on the need to shun reckless driving, obey traffic laws and traffic wardens in order to prevent motor accidents,’’ he said.

    The chairman, who also urged drivers to be patient on the road, cautioned against driving under the influence of alcohol.

    “Our members should shun hard drugs and all tendencies to be in haste or trying to intimidate and compete with other road users without regard to their safety,’’ he said.

    Ladi, however, urged the three tiers of government to improve on road infrastructure for the safety of the people.

    He also appealed to the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) to be more visible on the roads and do more sensitisation on road safety.

    Commenting on the fuel scarcity, the union leader urged the Federal Government to put an end to it, with a view to reducing the hardship being faced by passengers and motorists presently.

    He appealed to all drivers to always check their tyres, engine oil and other necessary parts before embarking on any journey.

    The chairman wished all drivers and commuters the best of the season, urging Nigerians to drive with care.

    NAN

  • FRSC to deploy 1,000 personnel this Christmas

    FRSC to deploy 1,000 personnel this Christmas

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) in Ogun, says it will deploy more than 1,000 personnel to ensure safety on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and respond to other emergencies during the yuletide.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Clement Oladele Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), made this known on Tuesday, during the 2017 “Ember Month” Road Safety Campaign Mega Rally held at the Asero Park in Abeokuta, with the theme:” Right to Life on the Highway Not Negotiable”.

    Oladele said that five life support ambulances, three roving patrol motor bikes and a heavy duty tow truck would also be deployed for the exercise.

    According to him, the aim is to minimise road accidents by ensuring effective management of the anticipated upsurge in human and vehicular traffic during the period.

    Oladele restated the corps’ commitment to reduce by at least half the number of people who died as result of crashes on the highways in 2016.

    “From our data of 19,010 commercial vehicles and 228, 100 passengers that traveled last ember month in the state, we are anticipating about 300,000 passengers will travel between December 25, 2017 and January 1, 2018.

    “We have planned a 24/7 patrol operations especially on the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway with resolve that we would not allow any passenger stranded on the highway,’’ he said.

    He urged passengers to patronise only commercial vehicles affixed with standard speed limiters, driven by licensed drivers and fitted with standard tyres.

    Read also: Ember season: FRSC reassures road users in Ebonyi

    On his part, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu, underscored the importance of sensitising motorists ahead of the festive season.

    Iliyasu further urged all road users to exercise caution in the forthcoming yuletide, saying that the police in the state would continue to collaborate with the FRSC in order ensure a crime-free state.

    The representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, members of National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) participated in the event.

    Others are Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria ( RTEAN ) and Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Association of Nigeria.