NURTW Holds NEC Meeting, Wishes All Muslims A Happy Ramadan

LUCKY AKRA

The National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, held their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Monday 12th April, 2021, at the Union Zone 2 Zonal Secretariat, Oshogbo, Osun State.

Addressing his Executive members, the Union’s President, Prof Alhaji Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa, appreciated his members for their support and confidence in the administration of the union led by him.

Baruwa, who shared some of the challenges faced by his administration, said at the inception of office in 2019, the administration was faced with serious financial challenges. It inherited virtually an “Empty Treasure” and monumental debts which included backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances.

He said the emergence of the Covid-19, which led to a nationwide lockdown for over four months also seriously affected the revenue of the union. He confessed that it was indeed a miracle to have survived the devastating effect of the lockdown by paying salaries and allowances of staff and the administration distributed face masks to all the State Councils including staff of the National Headquarters and NAC free of charge.

Another challenge was the suspension of the activities of the union in Oyo State, Ogun State, Delta State and Ondo State. He made mention of Anambra and Cross River States, where the activities of the union is on skeletal operations.

The NURTW boss admitted that operations and activities of the union are likely to suffer setback in the near future due to transport policies being put in place by some State Governments and even the Federal Government coupled with the undue interference of some State Government in the internal affairs of the union.

He said these have called for the union to diversify its investment, which will reduce the dependence on the union tickets. They are also going into partnership with banks and financial houses with the aim of establishing NURTW owned private motor parks and filling stations across the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He further said that the administration also took strong representatives to the Federal Government to consider their members for payment of palliatives (Survival Fund) to cushion the effect of hunger on members.

According to him, the Federal Government graciously responded to the request and subsequently gave its approval. Some members have already benefitted from the payment of N30,000 though over 60 percent of members, who were captured are yet to receive their payments. 

However, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, has given the administrators that all those that were enumerated shall be paid in due course.

Alhaji Baruwa appreciated all the Zones for the warm and rousing receptions, coupled with hospitality accorded to him and his team during the visit to sensitise members on how to observe the Covid-19 protocols and preventive measures against the deadly virus. 
He reminded the NEC about the trade union education and training programme for State Chairmen and Secretaries suspended due to the effect of the Covid-19 will be re-stated and also the retreat for all elected officers at the State levels.

The Union President reviewed the prices of all Union tickets.According to him, in view of the current harsh economic situation in the country which has made the prices of goods and services to double or tripled in some cases, it is impossible for the administration to execute all the projects and programmes listed above with limited fund. Therefore, he proposed for a slight increase of the ticket price from N100 to N200.

Finally, Alhaji Ibikunle Baruwa felicitated with all Muslims brothers and sisters as they embark on the Ramadan fast. And prayed that Allah accept their supplications, fast and reward their sacrifices as acts of Ibadah.