Ondo State Government, on Monday, inaugurated a 21-man committee to administer all the motor parks across the state.
Acting Governor of the state, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said that the measure was sequel to the crisis that had been rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state in the last one year.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee has Mr Jacob Adebo as Chairman, while Mr Bayode Gbenga will serve as Secretary.
Aiyedatiwa said that government could not fold its arms and allow the crisis to fester, with its attendant threat to peace and stability of the state.
“I should explain that government had waited and hoped that the intractable crisis bedeviling the leadership of the state branch of NURTW for over one year now, would have been amicably resolved in the interest of members and the motoring public.
“Indeed, all the efforts of the deputy governor and those of the national headquarters, through several peace meetings, had become fruitless, as the contending parties stuck to their positions.
“As a responsible and responsive administration, we could not have folded our arms and allowed the ugly trend to persist, with its attendant threat to the peace and stability of our beloved state.
“We are, therefore, left with no option than to set up this management committee, which shall take over the running of the affected motor parks across the 18 local government areas of the state’’, he said.
Aiyedatiwa further stated that the state government had no interest in interfering in the internal affairs of NURTW or any association.
“To the contrary, we are committed to our constitutional duty of promoting the security and welfare of the people of Ondo State.
“What this means is that any union or association whose activities or internal crisis will impact negatively on the peaceful co-existence of the different segments of our society will not be allowed to operate in our state.
“To further underscore our neutrality in matters concerning the state branch of NURTW, the management committee is composed of members of the different factional groups who are willing and prepared to work,’’ he said.
Aiyedatiwa warned that government would not shy away from enforcing its regulation on revenue ticketing as might be issued by the state internal revenue service.
“The administration of the ticket is clearly within the purview of the revenue agency which shall require the full cooperation of all stakeholders, including your committee, in ensuring that all revenues from this source is properly accounted for.
“I should advise all commercial vehicle operators, hitherto operating under the NURTW in the state, to give this management committee their full cooperation,’’ he said.
The acting governor further warned that any breach of the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the state would not be tolerated.
Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Mr Dare Aragbaye, said that the union had played key roles in the socio-economic development of the state.
In his remarks, Chairman of the committee appreciated the state government for the confidence reposed in him to lead the committee.
Adebo urged the committee members to work together with him in order to deliver on the set mandate. (NAN)
