The Lagos State Government has announced the suspension on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) from parks and garages.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Thursday said that the state government had watched closely events in the union.

Omotoso said the suspension of NURTW from parks and garages in the state was necessary to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents and visitors.

”Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.

”After considering the provisions of the law, the government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.

”The government will set up a committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.

”The government’s position is premised on its responsibility to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in Lagos State,” the commissioner said.

The crisis rocking the Lagos chapter of NURTW had led to the suspension of its chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, by the national body.

More so the Lagos State commissioner of police, Abiodun Alabi, has directed all area commanders and Divisional Police Officers to beef up security and maintain visibility in their area of coverage.

This is coming on the heels of the indefinite suspension of the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, over alleged misconduct, insubordination, and inciting members of the state chapter against the apex body.

The state police boss in an interview with Channels Television yesterday said a directive has been given on the deployment and patrol of all motor parks across the country.

He assured Lagos residents of adequate security of life and property.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman was suspended earlier yesterday, and the police boss said their move was necessary to curb any form of violence that may arise.

The Transport Union also directed MC Oluomo to immediately hand over the mantle of leadership to his deputy chairman and release all property belonging to the body in his possession to State Secretary, in a bid to avoid any leadership vacuum in the state.

Meanwhile, following the suspension of MC Oluomo, by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Lagos State Council’s chairman, has announced the withdrawal of members of the state’s council, including himself, from the national body.

MC Oluomo speaking yesterday said that the State Executive Council members and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council with over 200 branches and zones hereby resolve to immediately withdraw its membership and operation from the National body of NURTW

He went on to call on the Lagos State to take over the running of the affairs of the union with the constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and parks in the state.

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MC Oluomo said “There has been some crisis in our umbrella body, NURTW. All attempts to have an amicable resolution have failed. In fact. we have protested to the Lagos State Government about the situation in our Union.

“Being law-abiding and responsible citizens, we have decided to explore all avenues for peace in the interest of all, we will not support any action that can threaten the peace that we cherish so much in Lagos State.

“Therefore, I, Comrade Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, on beha|f of the State Administrative Council, State Executive Council members and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council with over 200 branches and zones hereby resolve to immediately withdraw our membership and operation from the National body of NURTW for peace to reign in Lagos State; write to Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies about our decision.

“We hereby call on Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the Union with the Constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and parks in the state, thereby ensuring peace and tranquility, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State.”