RTEAN accuses govt of barring passenger vehicles from North in Lagos

The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) yesterday alleged that the Lagos State Government had stopped the operation of passenger vehicles coming from the northern part of the country.

The national secretary of the association, Comrade Yusuf Adeniyi, alleged that the directive came from the Lagos State Government agent, the deputy state chairman, Seyi Bamigbose (Student) of Park and Garages constituted by the Lagos State Government after the suspension of the operation of RTEAN in Lagos State.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the RTEAN has had a running battle with the

Lagos State Government after its operation was suspended while a Park and Garages Committee was constituted.

The association took the state to the National Industrial Court (NIC), where an order was given for status quo to be maintained.

But the RTEAN is alleging that the state government has failed to call the Parks and Garages Committee to order to abide by the court decision.

The association scribe said, “Now, the Association (RTEAN) is beginning to believe that the action of the Lagos State Government is tantamount to contempt of the court order.

“The recent action (stopping the operation of passenger vehicles coming from the northern part of the country) by the Lagos State Government through the

Park and Garages is in itself an act that may likely cause the breach of public peace.

“To this end, the association is calling on the Lagos State Government to immediately reverse its decision of not allowing passenger vehicles from the northern part of the country getting into Lagos State in order to allow freedom of movement of all citizens as guaranteed by section 41 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

There was no immediate response from the state government as at press time. The spokesperson in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Bolanle Ogunlola, promised to direct our enquiry to the special adviser on transport, Sola Giwa, but the response did not come as at press time.