BY CHINYERE OBIORA – The Lagos State Government has suspended indefinitely all activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Eyin Eyo, Church Street, and Idumota Bridge areas in Lagos Island.
According to the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, who announced the indefinite suspension on Tuesday, said the action became necessary following violence recorded in the affected areas.
Fayinka spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting, comprising NURTW, Central Business District, (CBD), and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island), held at Alausa in Ikeja, to address the crisis often caused by transport union members’ activities.
He said to prevent further acts of violence at Idiomatic, the Lagos State Parks Monitoring Authority will resume work at Eyin Eyo, adding that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has been directed to deploy Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
The governor’s aide said the RRS will also enforce the suspension of NURTW’s activities within the axis and simultaneously flush out the ‘Oju Opake boys’ lurking along Plaza around the Church Street axis.
Fayinkaa, who disclosed that State security operatives are put on red alert to ensure safety and security of lives and properties in Lagos Island and environs,” said also suspended are the Transport Union’s activities at Church Street and John Street, particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope).
He said the RRS, in collaboration with the State Police Command, has been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.
However, in appreciating the State Government’s position, the Iya Oloja, Lagos Island, Alhaja Risikat Odumosu, frowned at the wanton looting and destruction of their goods in shops around the Idumota area.
Alhaja Odumosu, who pleaded with the state government to come to their rescue, said; “we will not stand back and watch our properties destroyed by miscreants from now where.”
