The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NURTW

  • Ojota Park ready for inter-state buses, says NURTW

    The Chairman of Lagos State council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, yesterday said the inter-state transport park at Odo-Iyaalaro in Ojota is now ready to receive operators banned from Ikorodu Road.

    Speaking through the Secretary of Ojota Main Garage branch, Comrade Francis Olasanoye, Agbede said after the Lagos State Government issued the ban, it partnered the union to prepare the Ojota Park, and that all was set for the inter-state operators to relocate.

    “Last Friday, the Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, visited this area and we have cleared the new place where those affected by the ban will be operating from.

    “We are ready to receive them and want to thank the government and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for this development,” he said.

    Some residents have hailed the government’s decision to stop the inter-state buses and vehicles operating along Ikorodu Road from going beyond Ojodu Berger and Ojota Motor Parks.

    A resident, who lives around Yaba axis, Mr Akindele Ojo, said the ban was a welcome development, as it had significantly reduced traffic gridlock.

    Ojo, a publisher, said: “As a matter of fact, the action is very good because since the time government announced the ban, there has been free flow of traffic in this axis especially in Jibowu, no issue again.

    Another resident, Dr Nwabueze Innocent said the ban had both advantages and disadvantages, but that it was in the overall best interest of the people. He said it would reduce traffic snarl but urged the state government to put measures in place to mitigate the impact of the ban on travellers.

    Mr Olowookere Olusegun said with the ban, sanity and a lot of positive changes had been effected in the area.

    “Since the ban, we have seen positive changes in the Jibowu and Yaba axis. Everywhere is now neat and everything is moving fine. The area used to be very rough but since the ban, everywhere is now tidy and neat,” Olusegun said.

  • Nurtw chief’s murder: Court orders closure of prosecution’s case

    An Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti has closed the case of the prosecution in the trial of seven persons accused of complicity in the murder of the former National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman Omolafe Aderiye.

    Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of High Court 6 ordered the prosecution’s case closed, following the failure of the counsel, Ahmed Tafa, to bring more witnesses to give evidence as promised on the last day of sitting.

    The seven persons standing trial are former Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) chairman, Adebayo Aderiye (1st), Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Leader, Adeniyi Adedipe (second), Sola Durodola (third), Ajayi Kayode (fourth), Oso Farotimi (fifth), Sola Adenijo (sixth) and another ex-RTEAN chair, Rotimi Olanbi-wonnu (seventh).

    There was drama at the sitting as Tafa, who had earlier appeared before the court and applied that the matter be stood down for two hours to enable him bring the witnesses, later sent a letter to that court claiming that he was on admission at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    The development angered defence counsel, Mr. Biodun Fasakin (1st-4th), Mr. Lekan Olatawura (fifth and seventh) and Mr. Tunji Oso (sixth), who described it as a ploy to keep the accused persons perpetually in prison custody.

    Fasakin urged the court to discountenance the letter, saying that Tafa was hale and hearty when he earlier came to court and drove himself out of the premises to bring the witnesses.

    Fasakin contended that the prosecution counsel had prepared the letter for seeking adjournment to prevent the defendants from opening their defence. He urged the court to close the prosecution’s case

    Olatawura argued that the prosecution breached the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) which provides for the daily trial of criminal cases.

    He urged the court to close the case  and allow defendants to open their defence or the court should grant them bail.

    Oso regretted that there had been five adjournments at the instance of the prosecution after the case had stalled at the Appeal Court for about one-and-half years in which only one witness was called.

    He pointed out that the contentious letter had no reference number and the letter did not state at what point Tafa was admitted. He prayed for the closure of the prosecution’s case or the admittance of his clients to bail.

    Justice Ogunmoye in his ruling noted that the case had suffered five adjournments after the Court of Appeal ordered the prosecution to open its case while it had only called one witness despite the fact that all the witnesses are resident in Ado-Ekiti.

    While ordering the prosecution’s case closed, Ogunmoye held that granting another adjournment at prosecution’s instance would defeat the purpose of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which provides for speedy trial of criminal cases.

    He said: “He (Tafa) did not tell his colleagues that he was going to the hospital if he knew his condition was that bad. He should have asked one of his associates or juniors in the chambers to stand for him.

    “This matter has lingered for too long, adjourning it again will mean there will be no end to the case and justice demands that I close it.’’

  • NURTW warns against bus conductors association

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos has urged security agencies to call the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) to order.

    NURTW Lagos Chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede in a statement yesterday kicked against the launching of BCAN.

    Agbede said the activities of the association if unchecked could lead to break down of law and order.

    He said: “The people behind the association tried under the last administration of Babatunde Fashola and the then Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa invited us for a meeting and we told him the dangers in the development and the matter died down.

    “By virtue of our operations, conductors are part of road transport workers and any attempt to take over our responsibility in that regards will not augur well. Conductors are apprentices undergoing training under a professional driver. As a commercial driver, one must have operated as conductor and in the process, learn how to drive before graduating to become a licensed driver. So conductors are drivers in waiting.”

  • Two injured as NURTW, RTEAN members clash in Ondo

    Two members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at Ondo town in Ondo State were injured yesterday in a clash with their rival National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members.

    One of the victims, Gbenro Ikusika, who was on admission at the State Specialist Hospital, said his attackers were NURTW members, led by the branch chairman of the Ondo/Ore Unit, Oladele Tolulope.

    He said his colleagues were at the Lipakala Junction Motor Park at 8.30 a.m after observing their morning prayers when their assailants, in three Toyota Hiace buses, attacked them.

    According to him, the attackers carried cutlasses, bottles, cudgels and other weapons with which they inflicted injuries on RTEAN members.

    A unit chairman of RTEAN at Civic Centre area, Ifedayo Akinneye, claimed that suspected NURTW attackers also assaulted them and destroyed their office at the park.

    RTEAN’s Branch Chairman Oladele Tolulope said the directive was from state council of the union.

    Tolulope said the move was among NURTW’s activities to bring back the union’s members who left for a rival transport group.

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

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

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

    They said it was launched in all RTEAN parks in the town.

    The union leaders urged the state government to intervene and make their fleeing members to return home to continue their legitimate businesses.

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

    He added that they would be transferred to the state police command in Akure for further investigations.

     

  • NURTW chief hails members’ ‘peaceful conduct’

    Lagos State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede has praised members for their peaceful conduct during Saturday’s local government election.

    Their conduct was a testimony that they have embraced peace, he said.

    The NURTW boss landed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the peaceful, free and fair election, adding that APC’s success in the 57 councils indicated that the people appreciated the projects being executed by the government.

    Agbede also congratulated APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the party’s success, noting that the Ambode Administration is building on the Tinubu foundation laid in 1999

    Congratulated the elected chairmen and councillors, he assured them of union’s continued support.

    He also hailed the police and other security agencies for the hitch-free election.

  • NURTW urges cooperation with police

    NURTW urges cooperation with police

    Lagos State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) yesterday advised its members to cooperate with the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful local government election on Saturday.

    Its Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, gave this advice during an emergency meeting at the secretariat

    He urged members to report to the police if they notice anything that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

    Agbede advised them to perform their civic duty at the poll.

    He warned that the union would not allow any member to drag its name in the mud. Those caught making trouble, he added, would be handed over to the police.

  • Tricycle owners seek autonomy from NURTW

    Lagos State Council of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to grant them autonomy from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    Its Secretary, Comrade Pius Bamgbelu, made the appeal after a crucial stakeholder’s meeting in Lagos at the weekend following a rift with NURTW.

    He said the request was urgent in order to exonerate TOAN from the violence over the death of a NURTW chieftain, Alhaji Rasaq Bello aka Hamburger.

    “TOAN members are known to be law abiding and will not like to be associated with violence or illegal act that will be detrimental to the already existing peace in the state,” Bamgbelu said.

    Bamgbelu explained that TOAN is not a member of the embattled NURTW which operation has now been suspended by the state government.

    He said TOAN is a trade union registered under the Trade Union Act Cap T.14 2004 NO.0124 and is presently affiliated to the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

  • Oshodi violence: Lagos Suspends NURTW activities indefinitely

    Oshodi violence: Lagos Suspends NURTW activities indefinitely

    Following the violence that led to the death of a leader of Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS) in Oshodi, Alhaji Rasaq Bello popularly known as Hamburger, the State Government on Monday suspended activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in all the seven branches in the area indefinitely.

    The affected branches are LOB A, LOB D, LOB J, Oshodi A, Oshodi B, Oshodi C and Oshodi D.

    The State Government, in a news conference jointly addressed by officials of the State, the police and NURTW at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, said while the suspension order lasts, there would be no collection of tickets/fees from commuter buses operating in the area.

    Addressing the briefing, the State’s Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi said throughout the duration of the suspension order, a team of State Government officials and security personnel would be mandated to oversee and monitor the transport operations within the affected branches to ensure they do not collect any ticket or fees from transport operators.

    He said the suspension order was taken after due consultation with all the relevant stakeholders concerning the crisis, and that it would remain in force until peace and tranquility returned to the area, adding that the lifting of the ban would only be based on appropriate security reports.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, police investigations are ongoing on the said death and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in line with the dictates of the laws.

    “It is important to also emphasis that all rumour mongering, insinuations and unfounded/unverified facts should be avoided in the sake of peaceful co-existence.

    “Any escalation of the crisis arising from the ban will lead to Government taking sterner actions against the branches where violence is recorded,” Elegushi threatened.

    He said as part of the strategies to permanently address incessant crisis arising from activities of transport unions in the State, the State Government has already put in place the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) through which 5,000 air-conditioned and convenient buses would be injected into the transport sector, adding that the initiative would soon be launched.

    Also speaking, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the State, Mr Imohimi Edgal confirmed that some arrests have been made following the crisis and that investigation had started in respect of the violence.

    He assured that anyone found culpable in the crisis would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, and that the State Government, in partnership with the police and other relevant stakeholders were working towards a lasting peace.

    Edgal added that the report of the preliminary investigation by the police would be out before the end of the week.

    On his part, Lagos State Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede said the branch was in support of the decision of government to suspend all union activities in Oshodi indefinitely, saying that the union was adequately consulted before the action was taken.

    “I like to confirm that the decision of the State Government to suspend union activities in Oshodi was supported by us. We also want a lasting peace in Oshodi and we know that with this decision, people can go about their duties without let or hindrance.

    “I am sure if the union had handled the issue of Oshodi, we would have arrived at the same decision to suspend activities for now and I want to urge our members to cooperate with government in its bid to ensure lasting peace.

    “Going forward, we have been educating our members on the need to eschew violence and we still want to reiterate it that anyone caught perpetrating violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Agbede said.

     

  • Hamburger: Lagos suspends union activities in Oshodi

    Hamburger: Lagos suspends union activities in Oshodi

    Lagos State government on Monday announced the indefinite suspension of all union activities in seven branches of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oshodi area of the state.

    The government took the decision after crisis broke out in Oshodi following the murder of a prominent member of NURTW in the area, Alhaji Rasaq Balogun, also known as Hamburger.

    The state Acting Commissioner of Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, who gave the directive at a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, said there would be no collection of tickets/fees from commercial buses while the suspension lasts.

    He said the state government officials and security personnel have asked to monitor transport operations within the seven branches to ensure compliance with the directive.

    The commissioner said the suspension would remain in force until peace returns to the area.

  • NURTW urges probe of Hamburger’s death

    NURTW urges probe of Hamburger’s death

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos on Tuesday urged the police to fish out the killers of Rasak Bello (Hambuger), one of the leaders of the Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS), an affiliate of the NURTW in Oshodi area of the state.

    He was killed during fracas that erupted at the All Progressive Congress (APC) councillorship primaries in Shogunle area the state.

    Lagos State NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, appealed to the state police command to ensure a thorough investigation into the murder of Hamburger with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book

    Agbede said: “It is almost becoming tradition in Oshodi that a popular figure must die whenever a major election is approaching.  We are calling on the police authorities to get to the root of this murder to end to ugly incidents.”

    He appealed to members of the union in the area to remain calm and allow the police to do its job.