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Tag: NURTW

  • No room for herdsmen/farmers clash in Oyo, Police warn

    No room for herdsmen/farmers clash in Oyo, Police warn

    The Oyo state Police Command yesterday called for peaceful coexistence between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers, stressing that there is no vacancy for bloodshed in the state.

    The Police Command who read riot act to all who are planning to cause disharmony in the state, appealed to such trouble maker to either leave the state or be prepared to face unpleasant consequences .
    Addressing a security interactive forum  organised by the state Police Command, the state Commissioner of police , Mr. Abiodun Odude said ” we have to organise this meeting so that we can address some issues that are affecting our farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria and we have to take this proactive step in this state so that the existing peaceful atmosphere will not be hindered .”

    Odude said “Oyo state is a very peaceful state and we must make sure we do a lot of things in making sure we are having a peaceful society and that is the reason why we are here today.

    “We must make sure that we are doing  series of meetings with both the farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in the state so that we can address alot of things that could have cause  serious crisis within them, once we are meeting with them some serious issues that can affect both parties will be discussed and settled amicably and in a peaceful manner without shedding blood.”

    while speaking at the forum,  the special adviser to the state governor on security matters , who also represent governor Abiola Ajimobi at the event,  Mr. Segun Abolarinwa said “I commend the state police commissioner for organizing this kind of summit and it is because you are very proactive. The peace we are all enjoying in the state is a collective efforts of all the stakeholders in the state as led by the Oyo state police command.

    He further said “We don’t want what is happening in others states in the country to happen here and that is why this meeting is very crucial at this time. You can all see that we don’t have a problem with the NURTW and also the level of robbery and other crime have drastically reduced so, everybody are sleeping with their  eyes closed and we don’t want anybody to import what does not belong to us here and started creating problem for us, that is why I said this meeting is crucial and we must appreciate the organisers of the stake holders meeting.

    “I have the privilege to have lived within the Hausa/Fulani people in Ejigbo when I was so young then and people are living in peace together and it was the Gah fulani that we use to go and buy wara { Milk Cake}  and all sorts and we are all living together in peaceful environment,  so I don’t want anyone to bring or import any problem that is not ours here.

    “we just have to be living together in peace in  Nigeria because we are so many and we have to learn how to tolerate one another , for we have no where to run to,  God forbids if we have crisis. Our neighbours in right hand which is Benin Republic are just about four million ,  so, we with our population as many as we are,  where are we likely to run to if we have crisis within us? So we need to embrace peace within us and shun all forms of violence.

    “We must all allow peace to rein in Nigeria because if we all fail to make sure we have peaceful coexistence in our society our children will have us to blame for it and they will question us , so we must make sure we embrace peace in our society,  he said.

    In his contribution, chief Saliu Kadiri , Seriki Fulani of Ibarapa area of the state said ” its love that is lost in our society and that is what is resulting to all these killings we are witnessing in our society today and we must all start to embrace peace so that we can have a peaceful atmosphere. “

    Also, Elder Taiye Ayorinde,  the Baale of Ekotedo, Ibadan  said ” Nigerian security is not that strong enough and government must make sure we have a very strong and formidable security so that those people parading themselves as fulani herdsmen can be properly checked, we even heard that those fulanis invaders are not Nigerians and if that is true, what is the duty of our immigration officers and our Customs service too needs to brace up their tactics in curtailing those people.”

  • INEC seeks NURTW’s collaboration in Ebonyi

    INEC seeks NURTW’s collaboration in Ebonyi

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Ebonyi, on Wednesday sought  collaboration of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for easy movement of personnel and electoral materials.

    Prof. Godswill Obioma, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, who spoke at a meeting in Abakaliki with NURTW members, said the collaboration was necessary in order to ensure successful elections.

    Obioma, who described NURTW as critical stakeholder, said effective collaboration with the union was needed to ensure successful movement of men and materials.

    According to him, the meeting is convened to map out strategies and actions necessary for effective engagement of members of the union.

    “The INEC in Abuja has directed states to carry out preparatory inventory of what the commission needs for smooth and successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: …. Ngige threatens to sue INEC

    “This meeting with the union aimed at boosting our partnership and collaboration is part of the preparatory inventory.

    “The meeting will foster greater cooperation and commitment which will ensure that only those people who are trustworthy and credible will be engaged in the transportation services during the elections.

    “There are 1782 poling units in Ebonyi, and the implication is that not fewer than 1782 sound vehicles will be needed to convey our men and materials to these voting areas.

    “You can see why the union is very important and indeed a critical stakeholder in the electoral process.

    “The commission must count on you to enhance timely and effective distribution of the electoral materials to the various poling units,” Obioma said.

    He said that the commission would engage the officials of the 29 branches of the union operating in Ebonyi in similar interactive meeting.

    The NURTW’s State Chairman, Mr Ewa Oko, who led other officials of the union to the meeting, commended the REC for the timely initiative.

    He said that the meeting would assist both organisations to work out areas of common collaboration and cooperation as well as strengthen grey areas.

    Oko said that the union has been supportive of the commission in previous elections and had always mobilised its members during elections.

    “We are going to cooperate and collaborate with the commission to ensure that 2019 general elections become a huge success in Ebonyi in terms of transportation of materials and men to various polling units.

    “If NURTW says yes; then you know that our yes is our yes. We have assured our support and cooperation to the commission for the success of the elections in Ebonyi and we hold on to it,” Ewa said.

    He said that the union had launched operation ‘show your voter card’ explaining that members who were yet to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were not allowed to attend the union’s meetings.

    “We in NURTW are taking the 2019 elections very seriously. We launched operation show your PVC which makes it compulsory for members to show their voter cards before they are allowed to sit in our meetings.

    “If you don’ t have your voter card we send you out of our meeting ,because you are not a good citizen,” he added.

    The meeting inaugurated a seven – man INEC / NURTW transport joint sub-committee to work out modalities for effective engagement of the transporters.

    NAN

  • Southwest forum lauds Lagos NURTW chief

    Southwest forum lauds Lagos NURTW chief

    The South West Elders Forum of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has commended the Lagos state Chairman of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede for executing crucial programmes that are critical to the welfare of members.

    The elders cited the construction of an ultra-modern secretariat, which was inaugurated last week, as a good example of such projects.

    The Elders Forum is made up of former state and national officers of the union from the region

    The forum spokesman, Alhaji Abdu Wasui Abubakar a.k.a Tawakalitu, who is a former chairman of the Oyo state council, said: “The way Agbede has been performing shows that he is following the footsteps of the President of the union, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, who has transformed the union to very enviable position”

    The forum urged Agbede no to relent in promoting the union by continuing to execute projects that impact on the union members.

  • NURTW calls for prosecution of black marketers

    NURTW calls for prosecution of black marketers

    The National Union of Road Transport Worker ( NURTW ), Abdulsalam Motor Parks, Minna, Niger State, has advocated the setting up of mobile courts to prosecute “black marketers’’ to serve as deterrent to hoarders.

    The union’s Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Na’ura, made the call in an interview on Wednesday in Minna.

    He advised the government and all relevant agencies to investigate the sources of supply of the products to black marketers and make them face similar sanctions to address the continued artificial scarcity of the product.

    Na’ura said in Minna, many attendants at fuel stations had their agents in strategic locations in and outside the state capital to supply them with the products.

    “While motorists spend nights at filling stations, attendants are seen diverting the products to black marketers.”

    He lamented that petrol was now being sold for between N190 and N200 per litre in Minna, depending on the location of the station.

    Read also: Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    The chairman, however, commended, the Niger Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for setting up a task force to monitor the sale and distribution of petroleum products in the state.

    “But the task force officers can’t be at the filling stations all the time as soon as they leave, they continue with the illegal business.”

    He said petrol queues were becoming unbearable for motorists in Minna and that it costs a lot of hardship to residents.

    Some of the filling stations operated by Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) have increased their pump price from the approved N145 per litre to between N180 to N200 per litre.

    At the NNPC mega stations and other filling stations operated by major marketers, the queues are longer as they continue to dispense at the official pump price of N145 per litre.

    In Minna town, a four-litre gallon of the product in the black market sells for N1,500 as transport fares have also increased due to the scarcity of the product.

    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 200 officers in Bayelsa – Yuletide

    FRSC to deploy 200 officers in Bayelsa – Yuletide

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Bayelsa Sector Command on Wednesday, promised to deploy at least, 200 officers and 300 Special Marshals to various highways in the state to improve safety of life during the Yuletide season.

    The Sector Commander for the state, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Yenagoa.

    ‘’We are going to deploy 200 personnel and 300 Special Marshals who will be on patrol at strategic corridors,’’ he said.

    Igwe said that the deployment of the personnel was also to ensure free flow of traffic, especially at the different identified flash points in the area.

    Read Also: FRSC sacks 25 for misconduct

    He decried the rate of death arising from road crashes in the state and reiterated the corps’ commitment to safety on the road, during and after the yuletide season.
    “Our main focus is going to be on the highway, which is the east-west road that links Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and other states across the country.

    “The FRSC is a partner in progress with other security agencies, including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), the Bayelsa Security Management Agency among others.

    ’’We are going to work with them in order to achieve the desired success. “Our emergency and medical team are available.

    “I urge motorists to drive according to traffic rules and regulations.

    ‘’They should avoid speeding, overloading, drink-driving and ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before driving them on the highways. “This year’s campaign is targeting operation zero crash,” he said.

    On safety awareness, Igwe said the corps had sustained its enlightenment campaign on tips to ensure safe driving culture and for the motorists to be safety conscious on the wheel.

    “Our campaign has gone to the grassroots; we have had series of sensitisation programmes with the Tricycle Operators and NURTW within and outside the state capital. I believe all the road users are going to cooperate with us during the season.”

  • 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.

  • NURTW ‘not evicting market women’

    NURTW ‘not evicting market women’

    National  Union  of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ajina  Branch, Mushin,  have  denied plans to  evict  market women at the  motor   park .

    Its chairman, Comrade Shina Adegboro said: “We are peace-loving people conducting our businesses with utmost caution and discipline without interfering in the affairs of others. We have co-existed with the market women for several years. There was no time the women were told to vacate the motor park. We advise that all issues should be referred to and sorted out at the Mushin Local Government under whose jurisdiction we operate’’

    Adegboro said the traders were being emotional about simple issues, adding “we are not in any way responsible for their plight. We appeal to the women to sheathe their  swords and seek audience with appropriate authority.”

  • Drunk driving: FRSC arrests 238 offenders

    Drunk driving: FRSC arrests 238 offenders

    Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Wednesday said that 238 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between January and September 2017.

    Oyeyemi made the disclosure at the annual “ember’’ months sensitisation programme tagged; “Don’t Drink and Drive” organised by the Nigeria Breweries at the Ojota Motor Park, Lagos State.

    The corps marshal, who was represented by Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC Head of Public Education, said that the corps was working assiduously to ensure that there was change of attitude among motorists before, during and after the Yuletide.

    “For this reason, it is not out place to stress that a drunk driver is likely to drive dangerously or commit traffic light violation.

    “These are part of the reasons the operation Cobra Enforcement, under the direct supervision of the corps marshal, focuses on it.

    “So far, the operation has recorded a total of 2,943 offenders who contravened various traffic offences within the first three quarters of the year,” he said.

    According to him, 1,414 drivers arrested during the Cobra Enforcement Operation were referred for emotional and psychological evaluation in government hospitals.

    Oyeyemi commended Nigerian Breweries for its sponsorship of the “ember’’ months campaign and its support to the FRSC in educating and sensitising motorists.

    The corps marshal said that the programme was organised to discourage drivers from consuming alcohol before driving.

    Also, Mr Hyginus Omeje, FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, commended Nigerian Breweries for supporting the corps in tackling the phenomenon of driving under the influence of alcohol.

    “This year’s campaign marks the 10th edition of the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign being sponsored by Nigerian Breweries as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the consumers.

    “As we officially flag off this “ember’’ months road safety sensitisation campaign, I charge each and every one to redirect our mind set towards good road use by obeying all rules and regulations as it affects our lives,” he said.

    In a message to the occasion, Mr Johan Doyer, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said that the Don’t drink don’t drive campaign was to discourage driving under the influence of alcohol and improve safety on the roads.

    Doyer, who was represented by Mr Kufre Ekanem, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nigerian Breweries, said that the initiative was part of the company’s advocacy of responsible consumption of alcohol.

    He said that the advocacy was part of its sustainability agenda “Brewing a Better World”.

    Dover said that objective was the improvement of road safety awareness for all commercial drivers and draw attention to alcohol related accidents as a result of drink driving.

    Mr Tajuden Agbede, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State branch, commended Nigeria Breweries for sponsoring don’t drink and drive campaign.

    Agbede said that the union on weekly basis organised enlightenment programmes for its members to caution drivers on the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol.

    He advised motorists to obey the traffic rules and regulations during and after the Yuletide to prevent accidents on the highways.

  • FG to remove dangerous speed bumps on highways

    FG to remove dangerous speed bumps on highways

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF ) says the Federal Government( FG ) is working with relevant agencies to remove dangerous speed bumps on the nation’s highways to reduce accidents.

    Mr Babagana Alkali, Director Planning Research and Statistic in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Fedartion ( OSGF ), said this at the Pre-end of the year operation meeting with transport unions organised by Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Alkali said that the Federal Government ( FG ) was working with relevant agencies to remove the speed bumps that were dangerous on the highways in compliance with the recent National Assembly resolution.

    “ Of recent, you have heard the National Assembly resolution that the speed bumps that are dangerous on the roads should be removed because they cause nuisance and road traffic accidents and crashes along the way

    “The federal government is urging that the ones that are not important should be removed and those that are important should be left behind.

    “We will work with the relevant agencies to comply with that, but the work has not started yet, but we are hoping that the agencies are going to comply soon,’’ he said.

    Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal of FRSC, thanked the stakeholders for their continuous cooperation with the corps, over the years, which helped them to record positive results.

    “ I appreciate the support of Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers ( NUPENG ) for the increase in number of drivers who have driver’s licence.

    “ I also appreciate the number of personal attendance of the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) at the FRSC fora.

    Mr Kassim Baltaya, Chairman NARTO, commended FRSC for what it had been doing to save the lives of people and their investments.

    “NARTO will continue to partner with the FRSC because reduction of accidents makes our investment secure.

    “FRSC has done wonderfully well but our drivers need more sensitisation and continuous training with the collaboration of other relevant agencies.

    “FRSC in collaboration with Standard Organisation of Nigeria ( SON ) needs to be checking the quality of tyres because some people are importing sub-standard tyre into the country, which endangers our lives.

    “I urge the RTEAN and NURTW to do more in this area and we can partner with both State and Local Governments to achieve it.

    Mr Zabairu Tijani, representative of NUPENG, thanked the corps marshal for uniting all the stakeholders in the transport sector to work together, saying this had helped in reducing accidents and quarrels among them.

    Tijani said that NUPENG had just trained 4,500 drivers to show commitment and support to what the FRSC was doing.

    “Our challenge is bad road, government should always award the road contract to competent contractors to make journeys smooth for both drivers and passengers.

    “We need specific parking spaces for our trailers, if government should allocate parking spaces for us, we will not pack anyhow along the road.

    Stakeholders who attended the meeting were; NUPENG, NURTW, RTEAN, NARTO, SGF,  Department of  State Services (DSS), and representative of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to show their continuous support to FRSC.

    NAN