By Daniel Tyokua
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has condemned park management structures plan by some states across the country.
National president of the union, Alhaji Bikunle Baruwa said the planned initiative was not in tandem with the promulgation of Decree numbers 21 and 22, as a trade union in Nigeria having affiliation with Nigeria Labour Congress.
He explained that the members viewed the park management initiative in some states as exploits, fraudulent and attempt to build thugs and clowns for the politicians.
In a statement issued by Baruwa on Wednesday, said the body is saddled with the responsibility of organizing workers who are qualified for membership into the union.
It explained that prior to 1976, the management, administration and activities of drivers in the motor parks were at the mercies of commission agent, which was igniting conflicts and violence between the drivers and the commission agents.
The president also revealed that the union seek the protection and advancement of the social economic and cultural interests of workmen, and to organize all gainfully employed transport workers such as taxi, township bus service and trailer drivers operating in all local government controlled motor Parks that convey passengers, goods and food stuffs.
The statement said: “Imposition of park management is unconstitutional, the union is among the forty – two trade unions formed as a creation of Decree. A letter issued on August 15th, 1978 was communicated to the secretariat of the ‘Union’ as Trade union with number 00054.
“With this development, park management is not known to any law establishing the union, rather is meant to encourage reign of terror”
The statement also disclosed that the event in Lagos State Council leading to the National Administration Council’s decision to suspend Mr Musiliu Akinsanya was meant to instill discipline among the members of the ‘Union’.
“The overwhelming Lagosians who viewed Musliu Akinsanya as thug, clown and devil in human flesh were happy at the decisions of the National Administrative council of the Union at the Abuja headquarters”
