Road Transport Unions Call For Lifting Of Ban In Lagos

The leadership of road transport unions under the aegis of Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have appealed to Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to lift the ban placed on the unions in the state.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria {TUC} Nigeria Labour Congress (TUC) and civil society, who in solidarity with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) joined the peaceful protest to the office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State in Alausa, Ikeja to register their demand.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend before the commencement of the peaceful protest to the office of the governor, the Secretary General of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Toro Nuhu who led the protest said the protest march was meant to appeal to the government to lift the ban.

He threatened that if their demands are not met, they will be forced to take drastic steps.

In their separate remarks, the RTEAN Executive National President Comrade Musa Mohammed popularly known as Maitakobi 1, Secretary General of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria {PENGASSAN} Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, the President of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Comrade Jimoh Oyibo, the Deputy National President, Administration, Amb. Muhammad Abubakar Bishara, reiterated that the protest was meant to make Governor Sanwo-Olu see and treat members of RTEAN and NURTW as law abiding and decent people that should not be treated as touts in the state.

In the same vein, the representative of NLC, Comrade Bello Ismail told LEADERSHIP Weekend that it is high time Lagos State respected the law governing unionism.

Bello stated that the action of the state Governor is against subsisting court judgement which advised the state government to respect the rights of the unions.

“Since Trade unions are on the Exclusive Legislative List, then Lagos State, do not have powers over trade unions not to talk of proscribing them,’’ he said.