We no longer have control of Ogun motor parks ― NURTW

Aggrieved members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ogun State have revealed that the union no longer controls activities at motor parks in the state.

The members stated that their officers have been chased out of these motor parks by the transport caretaker committee put by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

They stated this in Sagamu area of the state at a meeting attended by branch chairmen and secretaries from the three senatorial districts in the state including Odeda mini bus branch, Ijebu-Ode branch B, Magboro branch, Ado-Igbesa branch, Ijebu-East branch, Abeokuta South and North branches, Sagamu branch, Ogun Waterside branch among others.

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While speaking on behalf of others, state 1st vice chairman, Alhaji Yusuph Bamgbola, said the union is yet to receive a letter from the government proscribing its activities in the state.

He said that he learnt about the purported suspension of the union on social media.

Tribune Online recalls that Governor Abiodun had in June proscribed activities of all transport unions in the state and named a 13-man committee to coordinate activities of road transport trade unions.

However, Bamgbola who doubles as the chairman of Abeokuta north branch 1, alleged that the committee has since replaced the NURTW officers with an “illegally formulated” committee known as “unified truck drivers association” which he claimed is in contrary to the constitution that established the union.

“There are some people in our midst who are blackmailing NURTW and telling the present government that they are ready to do this and do that for them. They want the government to indirectly support them and we don’t want that.

“There are some people blackmailing us and calling NURTW the enemy of the state government, whereas if you look at our constitution, it says we must support all government.

“The governor has not given us any paper that he has dissolved NURTW, it is the committee on transport that is circulating it, we just read it on social media that they have dissolved the union.

“Legally, we have not been served the paper from the court or anywhere that reaffirmed that they have truly dissolved NURTW. It means there is no order, but we decided to cooperate with the committee.

“But, now 90 per cent of the elected (NURTW) officers are outside the parks, we are being humiliated daily, beaten and all sort of ill-treatment is meted out on us. If you look at those appointed by the Transport Caretaker Committee, you will never see genuine officers.

“Many people have been flushed out even without consideration to our constitution and this has been reported to all security agencies. But, we don’t want to be seen as enemies of the present government and that is why we are trying to ensure there is peace.”