The Lagos State Government has persuaded members of Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) to find common ground in resolving a crisis rocking the association, such that could foster peace within the group and in the state.
Also, the state government canvassed over 200 protesters, who thronged Lagos state government’s premises, on why they need to shun violence and embrace peace and dialogue in resolving issues.
As learned, the agitators’ actions were based on claimed that the association chairman, Musa Mohammed, was not ready to step aside after spending five years in office.
Among the protesters, Sulaiman Onabanjo, alleged that members of the union had been enslaved for seven years under the leadership of the incumbent chairman.
Also, a member of the union’s Exco, Tope Akinfaderin, claimed that his colleagues were dismissed and not allowed to perform their constitutional rights.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, stated that the ministry has at no time planned to impose on the union and its leadership, just as he assured that the state would encourage total compliance with the union constitution
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the association and agreed members of the group yesterday in Lagos, Oladeinde, urged the National EXCO to calm members by assuring them of a free and fair election.
He reiterated that the government is not interested in who becomes the State chairman of the union but rather in the peaceful co-existence within the union and the State at large.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, assured that the state government was neutral on the issues raised and has at no time being in support of the parties.
Fayinka urged the aggrieved members of the association to refrain from any act of violence that is capable of disrupting the peace and tranquility of the state.
He warned the group to desist from using state government’s offices in achieving their individual plans and ambitions.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Transportation disclosed to had been receiving a series of petitions complaining and warnings impending crisis that may shoot up from the Union. To this, the Ministry of Transportation invited the National Body of the Union to come and explain what the crisis was and way forward to resolving them.
