Committee to take charge of parks, garages, as Lagos says NURTW remains suspended

*Assures union’s crisis won’t threaten state security

The crisis rocking the Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) will not be of any threat to security of the state, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, has assured.

Mr. Omotoso, giving this assurance, said a committee would be set up to handle the affairs of all parks so that law-abiding citizens can go about their daily activities without fear.

“NURTW operates in a sector that has relevance to everybody living in Lagos, which is transportation. However, they are just a union of artisans and the likes, but not a force that cannot be controlled by the government,” the Commissioner said.

He said, “I want to allay the fear of citizens as the Government will set up a committee comprising stakeholders in the sector, who will take over the running of the motor parks and garages”.

Speaking on the “excesses” of the NURTW thugs, the Commissioner said government suspended their operation to avert a crisis that might arise from the disagreement between the national body and the state chapter, adding that security agencies have been detailed to maintain peace across the state.

“Let me also debunk the erroneous story being circulated on the social media about the union fighting back. I want to advise that our people should learn to take their information from credible sources to avoid misinformation,” he said.

Omotoso, again, reassured Lagosians that the government was on top of the security of its citizens at motor parks as activities of the NURTW remain suspended.

On the slain 22-year old lady, Bamishe, who disappeared after riding a BRT bus and was later found dead, the Commissioner said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu personally commiserated with the family and promised that justice would be done in the “unfortunate’’ matter.

He noted that the “BRT buses are still very safe. Since the deployment of the cowry card in 2020, the buses have ferried over 40 million passengers. This is the first time this has happened and it is regrettable.

“The imported buses have cameras while the ones bought from local manufacturers do not have. However, the unfortunate incident has put the government on its toes to ensure that cameras are installed in the latter”