By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, on Monday announced the immediate suspension of the activities of all transport unions operating in public motor parks across the state following renewed violence linked to the leadership crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The suspension affects the NURTW as well as motorcycle and tricycle unions.
ALGON also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to take over all motor parks across the 30 local government areas and the Ife East Area Office (Modakeke) to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The decision followed a protest staged earlier on Monday by members of the NURTW in Osogbo, during which protesters accused a factional leadership of the union of fuelling insecurity and disrupting transport activities in the state.
Addressing a press conference on behalf of the ALGON Chairman, the association’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Lanre Balogun, said the action became necessary to safeguard lives and property, particularly as the state prepares for the August 15 governorship election.
Balogun said the association derived its authority from Paragraph 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers local governments to regulate motor parks and public conveniences within their jurisdictions.
He expressed concern over what he described as recurring violence in motor parks, alleging that the leadership crisis within the NURTW had escalated into criminal activities that now threaten commuters, transport operators and residents.
According to him, recent violent incidents in Osogbo, allegedly linked to the factional Chairman of the NURTW, Nurudeen Alowonle, including the killing of a toddler and the shooting of an elderly man, have heightened insecurity and triggered reprisal attacks.
He also alleged that repeated security operations at motor parks in search of criminal suspects had further disrupted transport activities across the state.
“Our motor parks have gradually become criminal hideouts and are no longer safe for members of the public. Consequently, people are beginning to lose confidence in the park and garage system, which remains the primary means of transportation across the state,” Balogun said.
He criticised the state government, accusing it of failing to take decisive action against those allegedly responsible for the violence.
“If the governor chooses political considerations over public safety, we, as elected local government chairmen, cannot fold our arms and allow facilities under our lawful authority to become threats to peace and security,” he said.
Balogun announced that all transport union activities in public motor parks across the state had been suspended with immediate effect.
He also urged the police and other security agencies to assume control of the parks to ensure the protection of lives and property.
In addition, ALGON called on the police to intensify efforts to arrest Alowonle and other individuals allegedly connected with the recent killings to ensure justice for the victims and restore peace.
The association said it would continue consultations with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives and other stakeholders before announcing further measures.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government and the leadership of the affected transport unions had not officially responded to ALGON’s announcement.