Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, Chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee, has finally agreed to the demands of striking members of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, JDWAN, over alleged extortion of its members.
In this regard, JDWAN leaders have finally called off the strike that began last week in order to allow for renewed understanding and cooperation between the union and Lagos State Government officials represented by the state Parks and Gardens Management, chaired by Oluomo.
The peace meeting took place on Monday at the Secretariat of the State Parks and Gardens in the state’s Agege Local Government Area. Mr. Abioudun Akintade led the JDWAN union while MC Oluomo chaired the park management committee.
Ibile Drivers Stakeholders Association of Nigeria, DSWAN, Mega City Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, MCDWA, Federal Assisted Mass Transit Incorporation, FAMTI, Owners, Drivers and Conductors Association, ODCA, Commercial Bus Drivers and Owners Operators of Lagos, CBDOP, Mini Bus Drivers Welfare Association, MNDWA are other affiliated members of JDWAN.
The strike mostly affected the Ojo, Ikorodu, and Badagry Local Government Areas of the state.
The Lagos State Government had previously waded in to resolve the lingering conflict between members of JDWAN, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and Lagos State Parks and Garages, with the most recent meeting conducted on Friday.
The meeting was presided over by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, who said the warring parties agreed to meet in the coming week to resolve the issue of alleged extortion and harassment leveled against transport union members by commercial drivers in order to resolve their differences and foster unity among transport workers in the state.
Lagos Govt To Meet With Striking Commercial Bus Drivers On Wednesday
Giwa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola, stated that the state government would oversee the resolution process, as it has done in the past, in accordance with the 2004 White Paper on Transport Union Activities, which recognizes the RTEAN and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, now Parks and Garages Management in the state.
He went on to say that the state government was working with law enforcement to eject miscreants dressed as union members on Lagos roads, and he advised JDWAN to write to the Ministry of Transportation if the resolutions made between the two sides were not resolved eventually.
However, MC Oluomo denied that his members were involved in the extortion claim while the state government was investigating.
Akintade had underlined the subject of extortion, harassment, and maltreatment by the transport unions, stating that they had told the unions of their grievances multiple times without favorable response, and that it was on the basis of these developments that they went on strike.
Lagos Gov, Drivers Meeting Continues On Friday As Strike Continues
He said, “It is pertinent to note that there is an existing restraining court order granted by Justice P.O LIFU of the Federal High Court Ikoyi against the Lagos state government and all transport agencies, stopping them from ticketing, bus stop levies, motor park levies, dues and any form of extortion from commercial drivers with suit no: FHC/L/CS/224/2022 between applicant Barrister Olukoya Ogungbeje, Transport Union Society of Nigeria, TUSON, and respondents NURTW, RTEAN, National Association of Roar Transport Owners, N ARTO, Musiliu Akinsanya (Mc Oluomo), Mohammed Musa, Lawal Yusuf Othman, Lagos State Government, Attorney- General of Lagos State, Inspector General of Police, Director General of State Security Service as Respondents.
As a result, Abiodun urged the state government to respect the unified N800 levy, caution errant law enforcement agents, and rein in the excesses of transport union members.
The transporter’s executives detailed the drivers’ demands, which included: Following the court’s direction.
At every bus stop, kick against paying motor park goons. All unlawful money in parking garages and parks must be stopped.
Police Take Over Lagos Motor Parks, Garages Over NURTW Crisis
Harassment and intimidation of law enforcement authorities with weapons, cutlasses, and broken bottles by LASTMA, task force, and Rapod Response Squad, RRS must stop immediately.
His words: “We are grateful to the state government for their prompt intervention. All our grievances have been attended to and met by the Parks and Garages management Committee led by MC Oluomo.
“After several hours of deliberations at the stakeholders meeting, called on the directive of the state government, MC Oluomo, agreed to ensure implementation of our demands.
“We have set a a Special Committee, headed by my humble self, Abiodun, with eight members from JDWAN and eight from the Parks and Gardens to ensure harmonious working relationship henceforth n the implementation of agreements hereby sealed.
“We have also secured the release of two of our members arrested and detained at Zone II of the Nigeria Police Command, Onikan. The two detained members are: Hassan Ibrahim and Eze Ise.
‘It’s False News’: Lagos Govt Denies Appointing MC Oluomo Lagos Parks, Garages MD
“We are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and we believe we are moving forward from here henceforth.”
JDWAN head, on the other hand, expressed gratitude when he confirmed that the state government has shifted enforcement on the prohibition on unpainted commercial buses, which affects JDWAN members until the end of December 2022 for compliance.
Remember that the Lagos State Government had informed all intra-state commercial bus operators that their vehicles must be painted in the state colors of red or yellow with black stripes or they will be confiscated.
Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, who issued the warning over the weekend, explained that the step was taken in light of the requirement to comply with the laws and regulations that govern the operation of all commercial vehicle operators in the state.
Oreagba added that the agency will commence an enforcement exercise on all unpainted commercial vehicles from Monday, November 7, 2022 across the state.
Tinubu, Atiku Missing as Obi, Kwankwaso Attend Arise News Presidential Debate
He stressed that “The warning is to ensure that commercial bus operators, especially those on Intra-State services comply with the existing law of Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 in order to restore sanity on our roads and protect the lives and property of Lagosians.”
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.