Transport Ministry Resolves NURTW, RTEAN Fierce Obalende Battle
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Both transport unions that involved in a very vicious clash last Thursday, 11th February 2021, at the Obalende motor park, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, have reached a truce at a meeting at the instance of Lagos State Government, held in Protea Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
At the Peace, meeting presided over by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka had in attendance leaders of the two unions, NURTW Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, a.k.a. MC Oluomo, State Treasurer, Mr Mustapha Adekunle, a.k.a. Sego, and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Vice Chairman, Gbenga Elesho, and the State Secretary, Mr Amusan Olalekan, among others.
The fracas in which all manners of dangerous weapons were freely used was said to have been caused when the RTEAN turned the unit under its authority for the use of tricycle to the use of minibuses operation.
The resistance put up by members of NURTW was equally rebuffed by the RTEAN members, and the altercation went on until it got to a crescendo and a full-blown skirmishes rented the air all around Obalende up till the Kam Salem building.
Confirming the Treasurer’s account of the cause of the street brawling, NURTW State Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, (MC Oluomo), revealed that the boundary operations crisis that degenerated into a street brawl between the Unions could have been averted just as so many others that could have degenerated into crisis were amicably settled in the past, for peace to reign supreme.
Further in his submission, RTEAN’s Vice Chairman, Chief Gbenga Elesho, mentioned some extenuating factors responsible for the clash that, some other parks which were initially under the control of his union had been forcefully taken over by NURTW, were part of the provocations which culminated to the life-threatening clash.
Addressing the two parties on the need for an amicable settlement, the Special Adviser urged both parties to meet in the middle for peace to reign. Going forward, he also requested closer collaboration by both parties to enhance the peaceful resolution of the impasse
At the end of the protracted deliberation, both parties agreed that pending the return of Tricycle operation by NURTW at Obalende, RTEAN will continue with the operation of their Minibuses, with welfare fees paid to NURTW.
The gentlemen agreement reached will be signed by both parties at the Ministry of Transportation tomorrow Tuesday, 16th February 2021.
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