Transport: RTEAN, NURTW To Team Up

The Deputy Chairman, Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Masha-kilo chapter,  Mr Remi Jimoh, on Friday called for collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ease the transportation needs of commuters.

Jimoh told The Tide that the collaboration became necessary because of the constant clashes between the Unions and the wanton destruction of lives and properties.

He said the clashes which distort transportation arose from the fact that the two bodies operated at the same time and the same place.

“Since the two organisations work on the same platform, it would be necessary to apportion different days for the operation of the unions,” he said.

According to him, NURTW workers forceful control of some the parks originally managed by RTEAN often leads to misunderstanding among union members.

He suggested a shift duty arrangement in the various parks, stressing that the system would help in maintaining sustainable peace and progress in the transport system.

“If the government in collaboration with the management introduces a week on-duty and a week off-duty in the transport sector it will facilitate a cordial relationship among us.

“And the association will cease from seeing each other as enemy.”

On powers of the states governments, Jimoh said they had the authority to enact and enforce law and order in any park within their jurisdiction.

Mr Muyi Badmus, the RTEAN Secretary, also commended the Federal and State Governments for providing buses to the association nationwide.

Badmus urged the governments to assist by providing subsidised buses and loans for genuine transporters across the country.

He said that subsidised buses would make it affordable for many professional drivers in establishing viable transport companies.

The secretary said that RTEAN had continued to campaign against smoking, drinking, answering and making phone calls on wheels as part of its efforts to professionalised the activities of members.

He said that the association recently embarked on compulsory National Health Insurance Scheme for members and drivers of the association.