The Lagos State Government has warned some factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, who in spite of last week’s proscription of their activities in all Lagos parks and garages, members of the union have continued their usual collection of levies from commercial drivers in parks and major roads across the state.
The activities of the union came under government’s gavel following the leadership tussle within the different factions of the union.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, said government decided to suspend the activities of NURTW after considering the provisions of the law, and to protect the citizens from the likely fallout.
Despite government’s stance on the matter, members of the union in defiance were seen in bus stops and parks adorned in fez cap with inscription of their suspended chairman, Musiliu Akisansaya, known popularly as Mc Oluomo, without fear.
According to Guardian reports, they were as forceful as ever when demanding levies from the drivers.
Responding to the continued activities of the union in parks, Omotoso said: “We are not banning NURTW, we are proscribing their activities in parks, and it’s illegal for them to still operate in parks in the state.
“I am aware that the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Fred Oladeinde arrested some of the members of the union last week, and we will not watch them operate in the state’s parks.
“Anyone of them still operating will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Recall that the union activities were suspended following withdrawal of the state chapter from the national body after Akinsanya was suspended for allegedly inciting the Lagos State chapter against the national body.