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Tag: RTEAN

  • Proscription: Obey court order, RTEAN tells Sanwo-Olu

    Proscription: Obey court order, RTEAN tells Sanwo-Olu

    Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has condemned proscription of the union by Lagos State despite a court order.

     National President of RTEAN, Musa Mohammed, spoke during a peaceful protest by Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ikeja.

     RTEAN is registered under Trade Unions Act. Cap T 14 Laws of the Federation 2004,  an affiliate of TUC.

     National Industrial Court in April nullified an Ad Hoc  Committee put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to run affairs of RTEAN and reinstated the elected union.

     Mohammed said despite the  order, the government was yet to lift a ban on the union.

     He alleged some state agents fed Sanwo-Olu false information, leading to the ban.

      “Everyone knows the ban was done in bad taste. The governor was fed with lies about RTEAN and petty crisis instigated by backdoor power-seekers in the union.

     “It is sad the person(s), who instigated the ban and dissolution of RTEAN, was used by state agents, who had vested interest, as leader(s) of the caretaker committee.

     “We are owners of vehicles; we are not touts and that is why we went to court to seek justice and we got justice but the state is bent on illegality.

     “All we want is for the government to end illegality by implementing the court order that restored RTEAN in the state,” Mohammed said.

     The president said two of over 320 chapels in the state were engulfed in leadership crisis and the association was resolving the issue before the state proscribed operations.

     “It is unfortunate those who engineered and carried out the fracas are part of the people the governor appointed as members of the caretaker committee,” he added.

     The president expressed displeasure at the alleged extortions of members by the caretaker committee.

    He appealed to Sanwo-Olu to unseal the association’s Lagos state office.

     After appeals to the government to lift the ban on RTEAN, TUC on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Lagos, demanding implementation of the order restoring operations.

     TUC, which noted the state had no stay of execution to stop industrial pronouncement, demanded release of vehicles and opening of RTEAN”s office.

     The protesters marched to the House, and met lawmakers, led by Adedamola Kasunmu, deputy Majority leader.

    Speaking, the President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, while speaking with newsmen at the Lagos State House of Assembly during the solidarity protest with RTEAN, said that the protest became necessary as the government has failed to yield to court judgment and the request of the union on the matter.

      According to Osifo, RTEAN was proscribed sometime last year and afterwards, the Lagos State government went ahead to seize all their equipment and took over their offices, including their vehicles and we believe that this is not acceptable.

     He said:  “We know that trade unionism is not in the concurrent list and so a state government does not have the power to proscribe a trade union. This is absolutely the responsibility of the federal government.

     “We approached the industrial court for judgement and it was clearly stated that the Lagos State Government has no right to proscribe trade unions.

     “We wrote a letter to the State Governor to open the office of RTEAN, which they forcefully took over and released their vehicles, which were seized by government officials, but I can tell you that the government is already using the vehicles.

     “The actions of the government amount to criminality and stealing. We wrote to them that what they did is not good, but the government failed to yield to our request.”

     When reminded by journalists that the state government said that it had appealed the judgment, Osifo said that the Governor knows what to do.

     “As at today, they don’t have a stay of execution from the court. We will make our voice heard,” Comrade Osifo said.

     Responding to the protesters, the Deputy Majority Leader, Kasunmu, who received the union on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, commended the leadership of the TUC for the peaceful protest to the House.

     Kasunmu, who assured protesters that their message would be forwarded to the speaker and that the TUC would hear from the leadership of the House soon.

     Recall that, in September 2022, Sanwo-Olu had ordered the immediate suspension of all activities of RTEAN in the state.

     The government said the suspension became necessary following some pockets of violence recorded in Ojo and Lagos Island areas of the state.

     The state government, later in October, set up a 35-man ad-hoc committee, to take over activities of the Union.

     The Committee known as “Lagos State Park Administrators Ad-Hoc Committee on the Operations of Commercial Road Transport Workers Activities Within Garages and Motor Parks ” was headed by Hon. Sulaiman Adeshina Raji with Bamgbose Oluseyi as Deputy Chairman.

     The RTEAN subsequently instituted the suit in Oct. 2022 to challenge the lagos state government for dissolving the elected executive committee of the union in the state and appointing the ad-hoc committee.

  • NURTW, RTEAN hail Ambode for new buses, road expansion

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have hailed the Lagos State Government for the massive investment in road infrastructure.

    The state chairmen of NURTW and RTEAN, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede and Alhaji Mohammed Musa, gave the commendation yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos, in interviews with reporters.

    They spoke against the backdrop of key road infrastructure executed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    The union leaders said the 10-lane expansion of Airport Road, inauguration of Oshodi Transport Interchange, new buses and terminals are milestones in the development of public transportation.

    Agbede, who praised Ambode for investing in the transport sector, said efficient transportation was crucial to the socio-economic development of any state.

    Read also: Ambode hailed for transforming Oshodi

    He said the new 820 buses and road infrastructure would boost transportation and reduce difficulties faced by residents.

    “Our union appreciates the governor for the delivery of these projects and buses.

    “It is a welcome development and it will complement the existing ones to help Lagosians move from one place to another comfortably,” the NURTW chairman said.

    Musa, who commended the government for its investment in road infrastructure and public transportation, appealed to the federal and state governments to fix bad roads in the state and country.

  • RTEAN member sentenced to death for killing colleague

    An Ekiti State High Court yesterday sentenced a member of the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Abednego Ajibola, to death for killing his colleague over scuffle on loading arrangement.

    Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found Ajibola, 40, guilty of the one-count charge of murder of fellow union member, Ojo Ogunsakin, on March 10, 2017 at Akure Motor Park, along Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti.

    The judge held that ingredients of the offence of murder have been established against the convict who, he said, committed an offence contrary to Section 316 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    According to his confessional statement made to the police, Ajibola said a disagreement ensued between him and the deceased on loading arrangement on the said date.

    The convict, in his statement, said he was slapped by the deceased, which provoked him to retaliate in the heat of the melee.

    Ajibola said he hit the deceased with a stone, which led to his death as confirmed by other witnesses.

    To prove the case of murder, prosecution counsel, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, called six witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Sgt. Kamaru Momoh.

    Other witnesses who testified against the convict are the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Ogunsakin and Dr. J.A. Omotayo of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), who conducted the post mortem on the body of the deceased.

    Read also: Court remands businessman for alleged N218m ‘property scam’

    Defence counsel Mr. Kayode Oyeyemi called two witnesses and the accused person in defence of the convict.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Ogunmoye ruled: “The ingredients of the offence of murder had been established against the accused person and he is convicted accordingly.

    “The accused person is hereby sentenced to death by hanging till he be dead. May the Almighty God have mercy on your soul.”

     

  • Lagos RTEAN holds rally for Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

    The Lagos State chapter of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has declared its support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari and the state’s governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    At a rally yesterday on Iyana Iba-Igando road, RTEAN State Chairman Mohammed Musa said the association sided with the ruling party because of its giant strides in transportation and provision of massive road infrastructure.

    Read also: Bank loans at 15% for mini-grid operators

    Musa said RTEAN had been carrying out periodic political enlightenment of its members since last year and had been at the vanguard of the collection of Personal Voter’s Cards (PVCs) by its members through a regular programme, tagged: “Operation Show Your Voter Cards (PVCs)”.

    According to him, the union’s executive and members unanimously agreed to support President Buhari and Sanwo-Olu as well as all other APC candidates in the state.

  • RTEAN orders members to vote APC in Edo

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria ( RTEAN ) has asked all its members to vote for all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State.

    National President of RTEAN, Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo, gave the order when he played host to the APC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr. Dennis Idahosa.

    Comrade Eriyo said next month’s election is to recognise personalities and performance of the candidates.

    Eriyo explained that his support for Idahosa was because he (Idahosa) has been supportive of the cause of the youths and women in his constituency in particular, and the state in general.

    According to him, “I am not just lending my support to this man, Idahosa because of peculiar motive, but because of the I mpact he has made on the lives of the people of his constituent.

    “Without holding any political position, Idahosa has sank boreholes and electrified communities. He had also at various times, paid tuition fees to indigent students in his community.

    “This is the same man who also shared his monthly salary as a commissioner under Oshiomhole, to empower women in his community.

    “Idahosa has my support just like am aware that he has been getting the same overwhelming support from his people.

    “The people will use this election to reward those who have been with them and who they trust can deliver on their needs when the time arises,” he said.

  • RTEAN member stabs colleague

    A member of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Noah David, who allegedly stabbed his colleague with a broken bottle, has appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Thirty-six-year-old David, who lives at 3, Oseni Street, Ojoo, Lagos, is facing a four-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms and assault.

    Prosecuting Sergeant. Mike Unah alleged that the accused stabbed Mr. Segun Edun in the head during an argument.

    He said the accused committed the offence with others, now  at large, last November 20 at 2pm at Igbede junction, Ojoo.

    Unah alleged that the accused had a locally-made short gun which he could not give a satisfactory account of.

    The accused, he said, unlawfully displayed firearms at Igbede junction, scaring the public.

    “The accused was asked to step down for a caretaker committee to boost revenue at Igbede junction, but he felt cheated.

    “He mobilised hoodlums armed with charms, cutlasses, guns and bottles, and attacked people working at the junction. He stabbed the complainant in the head with a broken bottle,” Unah alleged.

    Chief Magistrate A.A. Fashola granted the accused N250,000, bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The sureties, he said, must be employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on February 12.

  • RTEAN hails govt on road rehabilitation

    The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) yesterday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Expressway.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Wednesday approved the award of N63.023 billion contract for the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Border Expressway.

    This followed his official handover of the new Economic Community of West African States Border Post in Badagry to his counterpart in the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon.

    Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN Alhaji Mohammed Musa said the association was overwhelmed by the news of the rehabilitation of the very important corridor.

    He said the rehabilitation was overdue considering its importance, adding that motorists and commuters had incurred losses due to the collapse of the corridor.

    Musa said: “This is cheering news and a welcome idea to those of us in transport business. For more than three years, we have been calling for the repair of this very important road.

    “Many transport operators and private car owners have lost lives and property due to the poor condition of this road. Money has been spent to maintain vehicles plying this corridor.

    “There is so much danger on this road, most especially, from Mile 2 to Seme. The people have suffered a lot.

    “So, hearing about the rehabilitation makes us happy as transport operators.’’

  • Lagos RTEAN members reject proposed caretaker committee

    Members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos State, have rejected the caretaker committee being proposed by factional national leaders to take over the state council.

    Mr Olalekan Amusan, the Lagos State General Secretary of the association, made this known at a news conference on Friday in Lagos in respect of national leadership crisis rocking the association.

    A faction of the association had on September 5 announced the removal of the National President, Alhaji Musa Isiwele, over alleged infractions, including violation of the association’s constitution.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that following the development, members of RTEAN in Lagos State, on September 7 passed vote of confidence in the leadership of Isiwele.

    Amusan said that members of the association in Lagos were not in support of the caretaker committee as being proposed by the factional leader.

    “There is peace here in Lagos chapter and our members are 100 per cent in support of our incumbent state Chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Musa. We don’t want conflict in Lagos State,’’ he said.

    According to him, nine members of the state association listed as the caretaker committee members have rejected being members and even sworn to affidavits to support their position.

    “They are our members and they cannot at the same time be part of any caretaker committee,’’ he added.

    In his contributions, Mr Suleiman Onabanjo, the state Deputy Chairman of RTEAN, named as leader of the caretaker committee, said that members of the association were in support of the present state executive.

    Onabanjo said that he was never in support of any caretaker committee, adding that he has no business being in such committee.

    “Those who initiated the caretaker committee were sacked members of RTEAN; it is not possible for such people to set up caretaker committee in Lagos State.

    “Our members have confidence in the state executive and so there is no room for caretaker committee in Lagos,” he said.

    Contributing, Musa (state chairman), who is also the RTEAN Deputy National President in charge of Administration, said that the state executive of the association was intact.

    According to him, members of the Lagos State executive council of RTEAN remain intact, valid, authorised and duly elected.

  • RTEAN vows to support Oshiomhole

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria ( RTEAN ), has vowed to support the political strategies of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    It said Oshiomhole’s leadership style since he emerged National Chairman of the APC has created leeway for the ruling party in winning elections.

    National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Sheu Isiwelle, who spoke when some APC supporters visited him in Bénin City said the victories recorded in Ekiti, Kaduna and Bauchi States were testimonies and pointer to how the APC will win next year’s general elections.

    Read Also; Direct Primary: ‘APC’s decision should go beyond individual interests’

    Alhaji Isiwelle noted that Oshiomhole’s activities have led to an unprecedented number of decampees from other political parties to the ruling party.

    According to him, “The defection of great personalities is a pointer to the fact that Comrade Oshiomhole is not only a National party Chairman of great value, but also a bridge builder and crowd puller.”

    The APC supporters led by Vice Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, Prince Saturday Iyoha urged Alhaji Isiwelle to continue in his good works of helping the needy and providing good leadership in the transport sector.

  • Lagos RTEAN passes vote of confidence in its National President

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Lagos State Chapter, on Friday pledged its support to the leadership of Alhaji Musa Isiwele, as the the National President of the association.

    Alhaji Musa Muhammed, the State Chairman of the association, told newsmen in Lagos that this was part of the association’s resolutions on the leadership crisis.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports a faction of the association had on Wednesday announced the removal of the national president over alleged infractions, including violation of the union’s constitution

    Muhammed said, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of our association under the leadership of Alhaji Musa Isiwele remains intact, having been elected for five years term starting from April 2018.”

    According to him, Lagos State chapter of the association has resolved to stay clear of the illegal actions being taken by the former National Secretary-General, Mr Eriyo Osapamwan.

    “The entire RTEAN Lagos State chapter passes vote of confidence in the leadership of the current national executive under the leadership of Alhaji Musa Isiwele.

    “All members of the association in Lagos State have resolved that no caretaker committee will be honoured or allowed to destabilise the association in the state.

    “The association promises its unflinching support to the Lagos State Government and all security agents to maintain utmost peace in the state,” Muhammed said.

    He said that the association condemned the said leadership change through acts of banditry and militancy, and “we totally reject such action”.

    The chairman said that the purported expulsion, dissolution and pronouncements through the said action was ” illegal, null and avoid and of no effects”.

    Muhammed said that the process of expulsion in the association was a constitutional process and must be followed before any member could be declared expelled.

    The chairman said that the allegation of fraud and corruption levelled against the national president has not been established by any committee of investigation.

    “The purported acting president has been dismissed from the association from since 2017 and he has no constitutional right to call or organise any meeting.

    “The national president and other national executive members were attending official meeting with the Bank of Industry in Lagos the day the purported illegal expulsion took place.

    “So, the illegal act should be disregarded by members of the general public and security agents,” he said. (NAN)