The Nation Newspaper

Tag: RTEAN

  • President urged to disregard RTEAN’s faction leader

    President urged to disregard RTEAN’s faction leader

    •‘We have unresolved differences’

    THE President of a faction of the Road Transport Employment Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to recognise another faction, led by Musa Isewele.

    The Isewele-led faction last Friday visited President Jonathan in Abuja, apparently to seek recognition.

    Sadiq said the visit had provoked members and deepened the crisis in the association.

    He noted that the action of the Isewele-led faction was capable of causing unrest at motor parks across the country.

    The union leader alleged that the Isewele faction had shunned several reconciliatory moves.

    According to him, Dr Jonathan needs to stop the implementation of the promises he made to the Isewele-led faction to avoid further crisis.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, Sadiq said the union’s crisis remained unresolved because of the absence of the breakaway group at reconciliatory meetings organised by relevant authorities.

    The union’s spokesman explained that the faction could not be forced to attend the peace meetings, adding that this forced the “authentic” leadership of the union to take the legal option.

    Sadiq said: “The intra-union dispute rocking the association is unresolved. It is subject to litigation in the court, initiated by me against the breakaway faction, to the knowledge of government officials and ministries since 2007.

    “President Jonathan received a rebel leader, Musa Isewele. His visit has further provoked members and deepened the intra-union crisis in the association; this is well known to relevant ministries and agencies.”

    “The antics of… Isewele, who is standing trial in a court of competent jurisdiction with his recent sneak appearance with Mr. President at the Villa, are prejudicial, misleading, misrepresentative and uncalled for. His action is capable of confusing and aggravating tension among members of the association; it is capable of causing a breakdown of peace and security at motor parks across the federation.

     

    Sadiq claimed that Isewele is trying to co-opt the Presidency into the intra-union crisis by flying a regional agenda which is inimical to the national interest as the president belongs to all Nigerians.

    The President of the Association however urged government to either resolve the lingering crisis of the association or do not favour any group pending when the case will be resolved in court.

    The association further advised that the promise made by President Jonathan to RTEAN during the purported visit be withheld or kept in view in the interest of social justice pending the termination and resolution of intra-union crisis in court.

    The association expressed optimism that the crisis will be resolved by March.

    He urged members of the association to go about their businesses peacefully and they not resolve to violence.

  • 70 buses for Osun drivers

    70 buses for Osun drivers

    The Osun State government has distributed 70 brand new buses to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

    It is the first phase of the government-assisted mass transit initiative.

    Speaking at the handing over of the buses to the unions at the State Secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital, Governor Rauf Aregbesola hailed the unions for maintaining a healthy relationship.

    Urging the people to be peace-loving, Aregbesola said development can only thrive in a society where the security of life and property are guaranteed.

    He said it is the responsibility of the government to provide public infrastructure for the people, adding that it was one of the reasons his administration has been expending huge resources on road construction.

    Aregbesola said: “It is our intention to make movement a smooth and easy experience as well as facilitate trade and commerce to achieve rapid socio-economic development and prosperity.

    “While it may not be possible for every citizen to own his or her own vehicle, the government, however, should be in a position to provide smooth, seamless and affordable transportation of persons and goods.

    “As a complement to these, we have also gone a step further to purchase these mini-buses for transporters to be used for the mass transit of our people within, as well as to and from the state.”

    Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Empowerment Ismaila Alagbada urged artisans, traders, farmers and micro/small-scale business operators, who have not organised themselves into registered cooperative groups to do, so that they can benefit from the government’s programmes.

    Alagbada said: “Under the Quick Impact Intervention Programme (QIIP) for farmers, which is a sub-set of the global O-REAP, more than 300 farmers’ cooperative groups have been supported with more than seven thousand direct and indirect jobs already created.”

    Commissioner for Finance Dr. Wale Bolorunduro said the buses were provided through Sterling Bank with the support of the state government at an interest rate of five per cent per annum.

    He said: “The unique thing about this gesture is the interest of five per cent. It is the lowest anybody can get in the world, so also is the repayment time, which has been flexed in such a way that it is easier for beneficiaries to repay.”

  • Ahmed lifts ban on NURTW, RTEAN

    Ahmed lifts ban on NURTW, RTEAN

    Kwara State government has lifted the ban on activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Offa and Erin-Ile, Offa and Oyun local government areas.

    In May, the government proscribed activities of the unions in the two communities, alleging their complicity in the January communal clashes in Offa and Erin-Ile.

    The two unions have been advised to work together in peace.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed lifted the ban when NURTW National President Najeem Yasin visited him at the Government House, Ilorin.

    Ahmed restated government’s determination to partner the two unions to create a conducive environment and ensure peaceful coexistence in Offa, Erin-Ile and other parts of the state.

    He said part of government efforts was to provide infrastructural facilities to enhance the people’s lives.

    “I want to assure you that whatever project we embark on will be spread across the three senatorial districts in terms of road, water, health and electricity.

    “In achieving these, I will enjoin you to live peacefully, as no society can progress in an atmosphere of rancour,” Ahmed said.

    The governor said government would continue to provide revolving micro-credit to the people.

    On security, Ahmed assured that the ‘State Operation Harmony’, launched last month, would protect life and property.

    “I want the people to take advantage of the peace in the state by working together for national development.”

    Yasin thanked the governor for his support and assistance to the union.

    The NURTW president promised that the incident that led to the loss of life and property would not repeat itself.

  • RTEAN launches N17.5bn mass transit scheme

    To promote quality and efficient transport service delivery in the country, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at the weekend launched its N17.5 billion mass transit scheme with 4000 buses and 5000 tricycles for its members nationwide.

    The vehicles will be given out to interested members on loan with a repayment period of three years with a guarantee.

    The President of RTEAN, Musa Shehu, stated this in Abuja at the Inauguration of the Mass Transit Scheme, adding that the initiative will support the government’s transformation agenda in the transport sector.

    According to Shehu, the scheme will create 9000 jobs for its members and unemployed Nigerians nationwide.

    He said, “Government cannot do everything alone; the vehicles that are available for the members nationwide are not enough. We want to create jobs for our members and Nigerians. That is why we have decided to partner with some foreign investors in this scheme.

    “There are 4000 buses in all and we are going to have 5000 tricycles later. As I speak, we have 400 on ground in Edo State. It is going to be around all the states. We can’t bring all the vehicles to Abuja. That is why we did not bring all the 4000 vehicles here.

    “The state chairman will determine how many vehicles to take to a state. He will put it in writing. We will just tell the dealer or partner to take the vehicles to the state and partner with them.

    “We don’t deal with individuals. We give the vehicles to a state chairman or zonal chairman. Then we decide the amount and account they will pay the money into. If the money is not there, I will hold the chairman responsible, because the business is about N17.5billion.

    “Government has not supported us for what we are doing. They have not given us financial support though we have not ruled it out yet. This is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.”

  • FCT RTEAN requests for 5,000 SURE-P vehicles

    The chairman, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Chief Lukeman A.E.I Obi, has stated that the chapter needs about 5,000 vehicles from the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government.

    He said it will be sufficient “if they can give us up to 4000 to 5000 to cover all the six local government in FCT.”

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja, he noted that the association has collected 23 buses from the Programme.

    Obi noted that in terms of the repayment of the fund, the association which has not defaulted since it started paying three months ago, made its payment directly to the SURE-P authority.

    His words: “So far we have paid about three months now that the vehicles are within our possession. We have been paying and we have never defaulted our payment.”

    Asked to comment on the impact of the vehicles on the residents of FCT, the chairman said: “You can see by yourself, the vehicles is everywhere, already in FCT moving. They are all in the federal capital because we are not the only people they give that vehicle to, other sister unions have theirs too. So, together with our own, it is working in FCT and other people are enjoying it but we need more to enable us reduce the suffering of the masses.”

     

  • Association to build 100,000 houses

    In partnership with a Canadian firm, the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) will soon start building 100,000 houses in Abuja.

    Speaking after the National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the President of the association, Alhaji Musa Isiwele Shehu, said plans are underway for all members of the association to benefit from the programme.

    He said the projection of the RTEAN is for the members to repay the money in the next 10 years.

    The foreign contractor, he said, was prepared to display a projector of the plan soon after the NEC meeting.

    “Some of the foreign partners are here. They are going to show the projector to members. A form has been given to us to fill. Every member will fill it and decide the type of house he wants,” he said.

    Continuing, Shehu said: “Everybody knows the cost of houses here but by the grace of God, we will break that yoke.”

    The National President also said the motive is to assist the Federal Government in the transformation of the housing sector since government alone should not be left to handle all projects.

    He said that following his promises, some of the highlights of the meeting were to fashion out modalities for the development of the association’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    According to him, the association has commenced the repayment of the 22 vehicles it acquired through the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE- P).

    On the SURE-P he said the association received 22 vehicles from the scheme a month ago. According to him, 160 buses have been launched so far under the programme.

    Although he did not state how much has been repaid, Shehu said the RTEAN got the buses in July and started repayment last month.

    The National President also said the NEC advised members of the association to patiently wait for the next batch of the vehicles.

    He added: “For those who are complaining, I have told them to give them something to do at the state and chapel levels until the vehicles come.”

    The advice, according to him, is to restrain any of the members from any criminal activity as a result of joblessness.

    He said for his members to vote any political party of their choice in the next general elections, the association has advised them to register for the election, adding that members must shun thuggery during elections.

    “We don’t want our members to be used as thugs. We are not thugs. We are transporters. We are mature and disciplined people,” he said.

    The National President noted that the association will organise a three-day enlightenment campaign and seminar for all members on the electoral process.

     

  • RTEAN sets up reconciliation committee

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria has set up a seven-man committee to reconcile the two factions of the association.

    The RETEAN National President, Chief Abubakar Sadiq, made this known in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

    Sadiq explained that the association’s National Executive Council directed the committee to work out the modalities and procedures toward achieving reconciliation by the factions.

    He appealed to members of both factions to embrace reconciliation to promote industrial harmony and economic development of the country.

    He called on members to go about their lawful duties in all the operational motor parks across the country.

    NAN recalls that the association broke into factions in 2007 thereby plunging it into endless crisis.

    Justice Maureen Esowe of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on January 22, ruled that the two groups should reconcile to stem the spate of litigations between them.