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Tag: NURTW

  • 2019: ‘Reconciliation, vital for Ondo APC’s victory’

    Ahead of 2019 election,a group within the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo state on Monday  urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to summon a meeting with leaders of various factional groups within the ruling party to mend fences.

    The group was made up of members of the 2016 Aketi gubernatorial campaign team chaired by the former Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission,(OSOPADEC) Chief Adewale Omojuwa.

    At a meeting held in Oba-ile,Akure North local government, the group also called on the governor to warn members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) in the state against attacking innocent people at any event.

    The politicians decried the alleged disruption of the proceedings at the State Assembly recently where many people including journalists were allegedly injured by NURTW members.

    It expressed displeasure over  the use of thugs and external militia to cause pandemonium during political party programmes such as congress and stakeholders meetings.

    In a communique jointly signed by Omojuwa and General Secretary, Teniola Oladele, the group expressed the need for Akeredolu to devise a means of bringing all aggrieved groups in the party together as one united and indivisible political family.

    Read Also: Ondo East APC leaders seek political autonomy

    On the post-primary crisis in the state, it  advised the governor to direct APC State Working Committee(SWC) to refund money paid for nomination of forms by the councillorship and chairmanship aspirants since the candidates had been picked.

    ” We implore the SWC to ensure refund of various sums of money to members who were deprived from participating in the party primaries,such as N200,000 for House of Assembly aspirants and N300,000 for Representatives.

    “We also plead with the governor to consider and approve a meeting of all state leaders and various interest groups with him to iron out all differences and contentious issues ahead of February 2019 election with a view to ensure remarkable success at the polls” the communique stressed.

    It expressed unflinching support for President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s flag bearer,and the National Working Committee(NWC) led by Adams Oshiomhole.

  • Ngige urges NARTO to sustain partnership among members

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has called on the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to sustain more collaborative partnership among members.

     

    Ngige, represented by Alhaji Idris Idris, made the call at the NARTO 18th Annual General Meeting in Sokoto on Tuesday.

    The minister said: “I want to use this forum to appreciate your association for working in collaborative partnership with your members.

     

    “This has in no small measure contributed to sustaining industrial peace and harmony as a major prerequisite for economic growth and development.

    “In this regard, I wish to reiterate that my ministry places much emphasis on social dialogue.

    Read Also:  Buhari, Ngige, Wabba meet in Aso Rock over minimum wage

    “As such, I want to state without equivocation that the doors of my office will continue to remain open to achieve this objective.’’

    He called on the participants at the conference to give it all the necessary seriousness it deserves.

    “All hands should be on deck to ensure the success of the conference, as I have no doubt that the outcome will significantly strengthen your association in attaining its statutory mandates.

     

    “This will provide a conducive environment for the maintenance of industrial peace and harmony which is a catalyst for socio-economic growth of our nation,’’ Ngige said.

     

    In his message, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, commended NARTO for selecting the state for the meeting.

    Tambuwal called on the association to continue to focus on modern and latest means of transportation of goods and services across the country.

     

    “The transport sector been a crucial sector that played important role in the movement of goods and services; hence the need to focus more on modern system to be fully sustainable.

     

    “It is in view of this that the Sokoto State Government formed a committee to look into the activities of NARTO and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, ‘’ he said.

     

    Earlier the President of NARTO, Alhaji Kassim Bataiya, commended the efforts of the Federal Government in the area of road construction in many parts of the country.

     

    Bataiya called for the dualisation of Makera-Kontagora-Yauri-Jega-Sokoto Road and upscaling of the security arrangement on Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road to stop the incessant kidnapping of people on the road

  • FRSC tasks drivers on regular eye checks

    Mrs Pat Emeordi, Sector Commander, Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has advised commercial drivers and other motorists to go for regular eye checks to in order to know the status of their sights.

    Emeordi gave the advice at a sensitisation rally organised for commercial drivers in Yandoya Motor Park, Jos on Friday.

    She attributed some road crashes to sight defects, hence, the need for drivers to constantly check their sights.

    “Records have shown that poor sight has greatly contributed to some of the accidents on our highways.

    “So, at every opportunity, we encourage drivers and indeed all motorists to go for regular eye checks so as to avoid any ugly occurrence.

    “Once your sight is sharp, the tendency of averting a crash while plying highway is high, ” she said.

    Read Also: FRSC advises motorists on traffic diversion on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    Emeordi stressed the need for drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations and desist from acts capable of causing carnage on the highway.

    Mr Stephen Akintola, Secretary, Plateau Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who spoke, thanked the command for the awareness and admonished drivers to heed to the FRSC’s advice.

    Highlights of the event include blood pressure and vision acuity tests at no cost to some motoring public.

  • 2019 election: INEC to partner NURTW

    2019 election: INEC to partner NURTW

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to enter into strategic partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for an effective distribution of materials and personnel ahead of next year’s elections.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi State, Prof Godswill Obioma,  at a meeting attended by representatives of   the 29 branches of the NURTW and INEC  officials   in Abakaliki yesterday described transportation as a critical component of election involving timely movement of INEC personnel and electoral materials.

    He lauded the union for the previous partnership with the commission in the area of transport arrangements.

    “It becomes pertinent that adequate transportation arrangements are made to ensure that INEC officials and materials are moved to designated election centres on time,” Obioma said.

    He said the meeting was in line with the directives  from the commission’s national headquarters that state offices of INEC should hold meetings with its  strategic partners on election planning.

    The REC told members of the NURTW that the meeting was to enable the commission embark on early transportation planning.

    He said that the initiative would also help the commission to overcome avoidable mobility challenges.

    Obioma said that the meeting was a follow up to an earlier meeting held between the commission and the union.

    “The main purpose of this meeting is to start planning early the transportation arrangements and it is also a follow up to the meeting held last month.

    “We made some far reaching resolutions during the last meeting and it becomes even more urgent to partner with your union in making transportation arrangement now that our headquarters has given us orders to do so.

    “We were told to go back and meet with our stakeholders in various aspects to begin arrangements in earnest for the elections.

    “We have just met with the committee in charge of security called the Inter Agency Consultative Committee in Electoral Security,” he said.

    Obioma explained that they had used the opportunity availed by the meeting to lay out strategic plans for security.

    He said, “The Commissioner of Police is the chairman and REC is the co-chair man.”

    The REC said that a nine-man joint sub-committee to work out the modalities for effective engagement of the transporters would be constituted at the end of the meeting.

    He commended the union for attending the meeting and reassured its members of the  commitment of the commission aimed at  sustaining  existing cordial relationship between it and NURTW.

    Obioma also restated the commitment of the electoral body to conduct credible, free and fair elections in Ebonyi in 2019.

    The state chairman of the NURTW, Chief Oko Ewa, said the union would support the commission to succeed in the areas of transportation.

    Ewa, represented by the state secretary, Mr Sunday Ebude, said that NURTW would respect the partnership arrangement.

  • With local and foreign certificates, I ended up in NURTW —Branch secretary

    With local and foreign certificates, I ended up in NURTW —Branch secretary

    Chief Akeem Okanlawon Sanni is the Seme Kweme branch secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). He is also the Yoruba community leader in Seme, Nigeria’s border town with Benin Republic. The former chieftain of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which was the ruling party in the Second Republic, told ADENIYI ADEWOYIN how fate landed him in the rank of road transport workers after studying at the Lagos State Polytechnic, with further studies at Tutor College, England.

    You come across as a very sound individual academically. How come you are in transport business?

    Let me just thank God for giving me the grace to be a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, because the level of road transport workers as at this moment is at its best. Many educated persons are members of the union as you can see the academic standard of my able chairman, Mr Abideen Atejorin, who is very vocal and fluent in English.

    The level of transportation business in Nigeria is getting higher. It is no longer the business of illiterates as people of high integrity are getting involved. Alhaji Atejorin has been dealing with hooligans and thugs, especially in Oshodi and Lagos State and its environs. This shows that he is a leader that can even lead Nigeria. If you saw what was happening on Lagos Island, Ajegunle and Mushin, to mention a few, and the way he was able to settle the matters amicably, it is a proof of the kind of people in the hierarchy of NURTW now.

    How did you find yourself in this profession?

    I attended St Peters Primary School on Lagos Island. Later, I went to Lagos Secondary Commercial Academy now Ilupeju College. I left the place in 1980 and went to the Federal School of Arts and Science and later went for my HND (Higher National Diploma) at the Lagos State Polytechnic and as a home study student of Tutor College in England. I later worked as a wages clerk at Piral Textiles in Ikorodu under the management of Alhaji K.W Erogbogbo. I then proceeded to Lagos High Court but later came down to Seme here for reasons best known to me, because the life in Lagos Island was not as good as expected. On getting here, I got myself involved in NURTW activities in 1988.

    I was once the secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) when I was in Ikorodu. (Chief Adisa) Akinloye was the national chairman. I contested for councillorship here but lost, maybe because I’m not an indigene. That was why I later focused on the NURTW issue, and I have had no regrets. But when the time for politics comes, I always do what I think is right on my own side.

    How did you emerge as the Seme branch secretary of NURTW?

    I started my career with NURTW in Badagary as the Badagry branch before it became the Seme Kweme branch. When I was in Badagry, I was elected for the post of a trustee during the time of Baruwa. Then we decided to form our own branch in Seme here, and when we got here, I was promoted to the post of financial secretary. And I did what I thought was right because I believe that the financial secretary position is a very delicate one since it has to do with money. But during the time of Alhaji Olohunwa, I was elected to the post of secretary, but they later demoted me to the post of financial secretary because his intention was to use an Igbo man. I got promoted as the branch secretary when Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede came in, despite the fact that I had the intention to be the branch chairman, because I had intention of taking the transportation system in Badagry to the apex. But to the glory of God, I was elected as the secretary.

    I still believe that it was what God said would happen. If by tomorrow God says I would become the chairman or member of the state’s Exco, I think I will be able to give out the little I have as my own experience and contribute my quota to the development of NURTW in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

    If you eventually become the chairman or Exco of the NURTW, what corrections will you make in the union?

    Wow! This is a very big question. There are lots of things that are yet to be done. Look at all these heavy trucks, nobody is doing anything about them. Every truck is under the NURTW because we work with drivers. Apart from heavy trucks, there are lots of people who load from Benin Republic and come out freely with their cars without anybody collecting a penny from them. I am not saying that my chairman is not able. But most of the time, if I want to use my own personality and position to work it out, I don’t normally have any backing. But If I am in the position of the chairman… Some people load from here to Ghana and nobody is collecting any revenue from them, making the revenue of this place as low as anything.

    We should have a formidable branch office like others. We should emulate the idea of Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede. We should create a legacy for the incoming members so that even when we are leaving the office, they will be able to follow up on what we have done; not just to be there waiting for money to come in without working for the money. We have to work for the money so that it will be useful for us.

    The Lagos State Government is planning to scrap all yellow buses known as danfo as well as LT buses. What do you think will be the fate of the NURTW?

    My state chairman is in the best position to handle that, because I am in a lesser position to do it. Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede has been having meetings with the state government, and he will handle it to the satisfaction of the NURTW members

    What is the leadership of the union doing about the use of its members as machinery by some politicians to disrupt elections?

    Already, that has been stopped. I told you that everything is in the hands of the state chairman. There is no riot in Oshodi anymore. Neither is there any on the Lagos Island. He has cubed the whole thing. We don’t behave like hooligans anymore. So even if a politician wants to use us, my state chairman will not allow it, because he is an intelligent person.

    What if he is not aware of it?

    He will definitely be aware, even if you do anything without his consent and later he gets to know, he is going to deal with you accordingly, because he is a man of wisdom.

    You claim the state chairman has stopped members from behaving like hooligans, but often times I see buses being destroyed by members of the union because the drivers refused to pay their dues…

    Let me clear this, among you press men, if you have 10 children, you will have one that is bad among them. All of us cannot be 100 per cent good. So the ones you are talking about are the bad eggs. Some chairmen in the past encouraged touting, but someone just came in and does not want it. Can you see the difference?

    Considering your level of education, would you say you have been satisfied with your decision to dump your certificates to become a member of the NURTW?

    Can you change your destiny? You are destined to be a journalist. I may have all the education in life, but if I am destined to be a transporter, I can’t change my destiny. My destiny is to be a member of the NURTW as at the time I am talking to you, and I am very happy to be a member of the union.

    But would you have wished for a better profession?

    Everybody wants to go up. I even want to be the national president if God says so; even the president of Nigeria. So, nobody is praying for downfall.

    With your achievement in this profession, will you support any of your offspring who takes interest in the profession?

    This is a very critical question. Well, I only have four children—two boys and two girls—and they are all graduates like myself. But I don’t expect them to use their certificates the way I am using mine. Everybody in this life is praying that their children become greater than them, which is also my prayers for my kids. They should be at a higher level than me. So, I would not say they should be in this type of profession.

  • No faction in Lagos NURTW, says Agbede

    No faction in Lagos NURTW, says Agbede

    The Lagos state council of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has disassociated itself from mayhem that disrupted peace in Palmgrove and Fadeyi areas of Lagos, insisting that there is no factions in the union

    A newspaper report had last Monday linked the Lagos state council of the union with the disrupted of peace and order in the areas, during which property were destroyed

    The state Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede disassociated his union from the fracas, stating that the issue was due to supremacy battle amongst area boys over who should collect promotion levy from some advertising companies doing promotion and marketing in the affected areas

    He said the union under his leadership has remained one, adding “There is no factions in our union. We have been enjoying peace in this state for the past few years. We are one. No factions.”

    Agbede appealed to law enforcement agencies to always go after whoever that found causing problems in the state.

    “We are for peace and are ready to support and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure peace,” he said.

  • 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
     

     

  • Four held for NURTW chief’s aide’s death

    Four held for NURTW chief’s aide’s death

    •35 others arrested for armed robbery, cultism

    FOUR persons have been arrested for the January 23 killing of Ganiyu Ayinla, aide of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos Island boss Kunle Polly.

    They were arrested in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and paraded at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos,  yesterday by police chief Imohimi Edgal.

    They were paraded with  35 others accused of cultism and armed robbery.

    They are Bashiru Bashorun (a.k.a Abija), 49, Sunday Balogun (a.k.a Folori), 43, John Oladokun (a.k.a John Ibafo), 43 and Gbolahan Olomokere (a.k.a Motherless Junior), 34.

    Edgal said a wine Toyota Camry saloon car marked KTU713EZ and a pump action gun were recovered from them.

    “So far, they have all confessed to the crime and went further to mention one Ade Lawyer, who is currently at large as a co-participant in the crime.

    “This type of killing has become the trend whenever NURTW election is approaching but this present police administration in Lagos would certainly make it the last. Investigation is ongoing and further development would be communicated to the public as usual,” Edgal said.

    Of the remaining 35, Edgal said 19 were suspected cultists, 12 traffic robbers and four armed robbers. According to him, they were apprehended at Ikumole, Idimu, Wolly Boy Street, Ajangbadi and in Badagry, L agos.

    He said: “The robbery incident at Ikuomole Street, Idimu occurred when one Elegbeye Samuel, 21, and another still at large robbed a female, Damilola Ajayi, of her phone, jewellery and cash sum of N300,000. The suspect was arrested with one locally made pistol and he is helping us in our investigation.

    “Similarly, at about 6:30am, at Ajangbadi, one Emeka Francis, 26, was arrested at Wolly Boy Street, with a locally made pistol after he had robbed Sarah Eloji of her phone, gold necklace and a cash sum of N85,000 at gunpoint.

    “Two robbery suspects, Tanipinnu John, 27, and Kazeem Sikiru, 23, were arrested along Kokolowo Ilogbo Road in Badagry. The suspects were chased and arrested after their attempt to rob John Kunoso of his motorcycle marked TTD553WN was foiled.

    “Items recovered from them include one locally made pistol and the stolen mortocyle. The suspects would be charged to court.

    “The command’s undercover operatives were able to beat some traffic robbers also called “catch-in-the-air” to their game. These bandits usually pose as genuine commercial vehicle operators in order to hoodwink and rob unsuspecting members of the public. They sometimes take advantage of slow traffic or gridlock to attack and dispossess their victims.

    “Suspects arrested include Baba Mohammed, 24; Uche Nkwocha, 23; Solomon Ogunyinka, 24; Wasiu Ajayi, 25; Nwokocha Alozie, 28; Godspower Preye, 27; Akpesiri Peter, 27 and Michael Fagbenro, 20.

    “Using a commercial bus, one-chance operators robbed Fred Ubak of his valuable including Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of Zenith and First banks and transferred N820,000 to five other banks, which they withdrew. The suspects, Iso Effiom, 27; Rolland Onyemechi, 27; Henry Anthony, 25, and Olugbenga Jacob, 49, have all confessed to the crime.”

    Edgal said a university dropout was arrested at Igbogbo in Ikorodu for impersonating a soldier.

    “He was arrested while fully clad in military uniform. His apparent lack of confidence aroused the suspicion of vigilant policemen on duty at Police Mobile Force (PMF) 63 gate. He was questioned and was found to be an impersonator, who used the Nigerian Army to perpetrate crime. The command has resolved to tap into the robust interagency cooperation existing between the police and the army,” he said.

  • Lekki Toll: No increase in transport fare says NURTW

    Lekki Toll: No increase in transport fare says NURTW

    Following the toll review at the Admiralty Circle Plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Plaza by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Jakande, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, has assured commuters on the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway that it will not increase transport fare.

    Chairman of the union, Alhaji Taofeek Oluwa, praised LCC for consulting the union before the review.

    From today, commercial buses ‘Danfo’ will be paying N90 as against former N80 for e-Tag and N100 for cash payments.

    Alhaji Oluwa said: “As long as LCC honours its agreement of our mutual understanding at the stakeholders’ meeting, we can confidently support LCC by assuring that commuters will not suffer any increase in the fare paid to board branded commercial buses coming into or going out of Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway. The NURTW is happy to endorse the toll fare review.”

    A union official, Alhaji Quadri Adesokan, said LCC has promised to improve the standards of the roads for the safety of passengers.

    “We have heard the concerns of the LCC and have agreed to support them because they have promised us to maintain the roads. A large number of our buses are using the e-tag which affords us unhindered entry and return from Lekki-Epe Expressway”.

  • NURTW to members: support police

    Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has advised members of the union on the Lagos Island axis to furnish the police with necessary information to assist in the investigation into the fracas that led to the death of a member of the union.

    Agbede said it was necessary to unravel the killers.

    He appealed to members to continue to remain calm and maintain the peace.

    He urged members to obey the government directives on union operations in the area.

    Agbede told members from Lagos Island who visited him in his office that a series of meetings had been held with the leadership of the police command about on incident.

    He warned members to allow the police to do their jobs.

    “You don’t have to revenge the killing of your colleague. Allow the police to do their job. The only thing you can do is to supply all the necessary information to the police. Don’t take the law into your hands,” he said.

    He said the union under his leadership had been peaceful, adding “we have been enjoying peace in the state council under my leadership. The state council will not allow anybody to draw the union back to dark days.”