Tension As MC Oluomo Takes Over As Lagos NURTW Chairman

MICHAEL AKINOLA

There is tension in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union, NURTW, Lagos State chapter, after the newly elected National President of NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibukunle Baruwa, appointed Alhaji Musliu Akisanya popularly known as MC Oluomo as the Caretaker Chairman.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that virtually all the units and branches across the State formally controlled by the former Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede loyalists were being taken over following the appointment of Oluomo to take charge as Caretaker Chairman.

It was learnt that some areas have been enmeshed in violence between Oluomo loyalists and other factions that lost out during the election which produced Alhaji Baruwa, who appointed Oluomo. Such areas included Ogba, Lagos Island, Cele and others.

Some members of NURTW who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS said it was normal to change the structure from wards to branches to ensure that those who will control the areas are loyal to the Chairman for the union in the State to function properly.
However, those losing out were said to be fighting back, which has led to the tension and crises in the State.
So far, some members of NURTW have been arrested and detained for causing crises in the State and some dangerous weapons were recovered as exhibits.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government has warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to conduct their activities in a peaceful manner and not to disrupt the peace of innocent members of the public. This was disclosed by Lagos State Government through the Task Force unit of the State.

In the statement issued by the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, he warned all members of the NURTW across the State to always conduct their activities in a peaceful manner as anyone caught fomenting trouble would be severely dealt with in accordance with the law. He confirmed that 11 members of the Union were arrested over the weekend by the Enforcement team of the Agency for causing mayhem around Yaya-Abatan Garage at Ogba.

Egbeyemi revealed that dangerous weapons such as axes, daggers, broken bottles and cutlasses were recovered from all those arrested in connection with the mayhem. He said that all arrested suspects have immediately been charged to Court to serve as a deterrent to other union members who might want to disturb the peace of the State.