The Lagos state government has banned operation of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Lagos Island indefinitely and which was enforced by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka.
The activities of the transport union was grounded particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes that crippled activities in Idumota axis of the state. The violent clash also led to the death of two people.
The decision to ban their activity was taken at a stakeholders meeting comprising of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Central Business District (CBD) and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) at the Bagauda Kaltho Press center.
The statement released by Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on New Media, Jubril Gawat, read;
“Lagos State Govt has suspended the operations of the Transport Union (NURTW) in Lagos Island particularly on Church Street, Eyin Eyo, and Idumota bridge indefinitely due to the recent clashes that crippled activities in Idumota axis of the state.
“At a stakeholders meeting comprising the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Central Business District (CBD) and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) at the Bagauda Kaltho Press center to tackle crisis often caused by the activities of the union, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka meted out the ban to prevent further acts of violence at idumota, adding that the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume at Eyin Eyo.
“Fayinka further stated that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) will station an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic Rules and Regulations and to enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis.
“Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope).
“The Transport Special Adviser added that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in collaboration with the State Police Command will ensure Safety of lives in the area.
“State Security Operatives are hereby put on Red Alert to ensure Safety and Security of lives and property in Lagos Island and environs’ Fayinka stated.
“Appreciating the position just taken by State Government, the Iya Oloja, Lagos Island Alhaja Risikat Odumosu while expressing her displeasure at the wanton looting and destruction of their goods in shops around Idumota area, begged the State Government to come to their rescue adding that they will not stand back and watch their properties destroyed by miscreants whom they had never seen before.”