Fashola bars NURTW from operating at parks

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."
Opeifa said the state government would no longer
register new motorcycles for commercial purposes.
He said the state had more than enough commercial
motorcycles.
The commissioner said motorcycles below 200cc
engine capacity would no longer be allowed to
operate on double carriage roads, as well as
expressways and bridges.
He said the influx of okada into the state was as a
result of the ban of its operation in other states.
He said, "All categories of motorcycles below 200cc
engine capacity on a dual carriage road such as
Obafemi Awolowo Way, where the state secretariat is
located, are prohibited.
"Also, commercial motorcycles will no longer be
registered by the state and those who want to
continue to operate will have to be re-certified."