Lagos State Government barred NURTW from parks and bus stops in Lagos

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.”