Suspension of NURTW Activities Unconstitutional, Osun ALGON Tells Adeleke

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Osun State chapter has described the suspension of activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the state as unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of union members.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo, the state chairman of ALGON, Hon. Sarafadeen Awotunde, said local government chairmen are concerned about the ongoing crisis in the transport sector and the directive that halted NURTW operations.

According to him, the suspension has continued to affect the livelihood of thousands of drivers, conductors, and other stakeholders who depend on the union for their daily income across the 30 local government areas and area office in Osun.

Awotunde noted that while the state government has the responsibility to maintain peace and order, it must do so within the ambit of the law. He stressed that no government has the power to proscribe a registered trade union without due process.

“The NURTW is a registered union under the Trade Union Act. Suspending its activities indefinitely without recourse to the law is unconstitutional. We are calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to review the decision in the interest of peace and economic stability,” the ALGON chairman said.

He explained that the continued closure of motor parks and the ban on union activities have led to loss of revenue for both the union members and local government councils, who rely on park levies to fund grassroots projects.

“Many families are suffering. Our people are being forced into hardship because they cannot operate freely. The parks are supposed to be generating income for councils, but that has stopped,” he added.

ALGON also urged the governor to set up a reconciliation committee that will include representatives of NURTW, state government, security agencies, and local government chairmen to resolve the crisis amicably.

The association maintained that it is not taking sides in the internal leadership dispute within the union, but is only interested in ensuring that due process is followed and that the rights of citizens are protected.

“As custodians of governance at the grassroots, we cannot watch our people suffer. We appeal to Governor Adeleke to lift the suspension and allow the rule of law to prevail,” Awotunde stated.

As at the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government is yet to respond to ALGON’s position.

This matter is bigger than just NURTW. When unions are suspended, ordinary drivers and market women feel it first. 

Peace is important, but it must not come at the cost of people’s livelihood and constitutional rights. 

I hope Governor Adeleke and ALGON can sit down and find a middle ground fast. DESSY'S BLOG will keep monitoring this story.