Fashola bars NURTW from operating at parks
Lagos
State has barred the National Union of Road Transport Workers and its
affiliates from operating at parks or bus stops across the state.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, made this known at a news conference on Friday.
Opeifa said the union would have to act like other unions and get an office from where it could carry out its daily activities.
Opeifa said the law was passed following
the report by a panel headed by Justice Dolapo Akinsanya in 2008 about
the role and functions of the NURTW.
He said, “Henceforth, union activities
are no longer allowed at our parks. They are to relocate to offices from
where they will operate just like the National Union of Teachers and
the National Union of Journalists. Also, no union member must be seen
collecting money on the road.
“The report, which was given by the
panel, comprises what Lagosians have been saying about the activities of
the union; fighting and misuse of parks, collecting money on the roads
indiscriminately, stopping passengers, abusing alcohol, among others.
“We recognise their right of freedom of
association, but we believe the parks should be made easy for those who
want to use buses.”
Opeifa said the state government would
no longer register new motorcycles for commercial purposes. He said the
state had more than enough commercial motorcycles.
The commissioner said motorcycles below
200cc engine capacity would no longer be allowed to operate on double
carriage roads, as well as expressways and bridges.
He said the influx of okada into the state was as a result of the ban of its operation in other states.
He said, “All categories of motorcycles
below 200cc engine capacity on a dual carriage road such as Obafemi
Awolowo Way, where the state secretariat is located, are prohibited.
“Also, commercial motorcycles will no
longer be registered by the state and those who want to continue to
operate will have to be re-certified.”
