Osun-assisted mass transit scheme excites NURTW

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers in Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Afolabi, has commended Governor Ra’uf Aregbesola for assisting members of his union through the state assisted mass transit scheme.

Afolabi said this at a press conference he addressed in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Aregbesola had in December 2013 inaugurated the state-assisted mass transit buses with 70 brand new buses distributed to members of the union and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria.

The NURTW boss said that the massive road construction embarked upon by the government had also assisted the union, noting they no longer had to change some parts frequently like they used to do “because the roads are now in good conditions.”

The union leader said, “The NURTW is not a political party but we are happy with the efforts of Ogbeni Ra’uf Aregbesola since he assumed office.  He must be commended for the massive construction of roads by his administration. These road projects have made transportation across the state very easy. The government also played a laudable role in the distribution of 50 buses to our members under a bank guaranteed loan. This has assisted some of our members who could not raise enough money to buy new buses.”

Afolabi stated that residents of the state now had a better transportation system due to the efforts of the state government.

The NURTW leader pledged the cooperation of the union to the Aregbesola administration saying although the union was not a political party, its members would support the government because it had supported them.

Speaking on the clash between members of the union at Ile Ife, Afolabi and the Secretary of the union, Raymond Adeyemi, said that the crisis had been resolved.

It will be recalled that commuters were stranded while banks were hurriedly shut and customers driven out as hoodlums fought and destroyed some vehicles during the clash.

The clash broke out over modalities for conveying passengers among members of the NURTW Ife Intra City Unit and NURTW Lagos/Ibadan Unit.

Drivers plying Ibadan and Lagos have been complaining that the intra city drivers, instead of bringing passengers travelling to Ibadan to the Urban Day area where the motor park is located, prefer taking them to Oduduwa University Roundabout located along Ife/Ibadan Expressway where they always board vehicles at cheaper fares.