By OUR REPORTER
Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has taken the bull by the horns ordering the immediate ban of all unions and associations in his bid to stop the continued increase in the cost of food, goods and services in the state.
The DEFENDER gathered that the governor had recently banned transport unions in the state for the similar reason of stopping their indiscriminate hike in fares charged against commuters within or from the state, an economic misbehaviour that has led to increased poverty rate in the country especially the Southern part.
These decisions were coming following a recent call by former Commander of the Nigerian Army Corp of Ordnance, Major General Adekunle Abdullahi Martins, who asked the Federal Government to take the economy of Lagos to its hearr. The General said because economy of Lagos is depended upon by other economies in the country, leaving it under the control of hoodlums, unions, other mediocres and their sponsors would never make Nigerians’ earnings to take them out of poverty.
The giant stride being taken by the Ondo State government affects all trading unions and associations under the umbrella of Ondo State United Artisan Group.
They are banned from fixing and enforcing uniform prices of goods, including farm produce and food items being sold or rendered by their members and non-members.
The governor, Thursday in Akure, said the measures were taken to protect residents in the state amid soaring costs and incessant increases in prices of goods and services by artisans, particularly farm produce and food items.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, the decision was taken in the overall socio-economic interest of the people of the state.
The statement disclosed that the state government had for a while watched with discomfort and dismay, the economic suffocation of the people with unimaginable increases in prices of goods and services in markets, shops and other sale outlets across the state.
“Even without due regard for market forces, it is obvious that associations and unions are largely behind this unwholesome act,” the statement said.
The move by the governor further stipulated that individuals including artisans, traders as well as providers of services and farmers would, henceforth, be allowed to operate selling their products and rendering any service in any part of the state as they may deem “profitable, based on the principle of demand and supply and prevailing market forces.”
He added that under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, membership of associations and unions remained voluntary.
While emphasizing that anyone caught flouting the directive would be made to face the full wrath of the law, he stressed that sale of tickets to artisans and traders by any association and union without due approval of the state government through the Internal Revenue Service would also be dealt with.
