Lagos Govt takes over parks

By Abolaji Adebayo 

The control of motor parks in Lagos State may be devolved as the state government is planning to set up park committee in each local government,  ECHONEWS has gathered.

This will follow the provision of the fourth schedule of the constitution which empowers the local government to establish and maintain motor parks.

Though the state government has taken over motor parks across the state from the members of the National Union of Transport Workers (NUTRW), it is yet to commence operation.

The decision to take over the parks from the Union was informed by the crisis in the union which led to the suspension of its chairman, Lagos Chapter, Alhaji Misiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had suspended Akinsanya indefinitely over alleged misconduct, insubordination, and inciting members of the state chapter against the apex body.

The development followed a query sent to the NURTW boss in Lagos over alleged meddlesomeness in union matters, as well as protest staged by his supporters during which they accused the union at national level of unnecessarily interfering in  state affairs.

It was gathered that the national body of the union had, therefore, directed the state chairman to immediately hand over the mantle of leadership to his deputy and release all property belonging to the transport body in his possession to the state secretary, in a bid to avoid any leadership vacuum in the state.

According to the national body, the decision to suspend MC Oluomo, as contained in a letter sent to him, is aimed at preventing possible breakdown of law and order after it came to its notice that he was already inciting members against the national body and the union, “an act that is completely against NURTW constitution,” the national body maintained.

The letter, dated March 9, 2022, stated that it resolved to suspend MC Oluomo after it became obvious that MC Oluomo was not apologetic over his actions even after he was directed to explain reasons for embarking on such.

The national body, in a letter signed by its General Secretary, Kabiru Yau, read in part: “This is to convey to you that in line with Article 42 section 5, subsection I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII of the union’s constitution, you have been placed on indefinite suspension from office as State Chairman of Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with effect from March 9th, 2021.

“Your suspension is sequel to sustained acts of insubordination and gross misconduct coupled with your clandestine plans to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on any branch or branch of the union in Lagos state that refuses to obey your order or instructions not to accept directives from the national headquarters of the Union.

“Your orchestrated plan to attack branches that may disobey your orders aforesaid will ultimately endanger public peace and order in Lagos State. It is also very likely to threaten and/or affect the lives and property of the peace-loving people of Lagos State, particularly those doing their legitimate businesses within motor parks.

“It is on record that you were earlier issued with queries on 25th of February 2022 and 3rd of March, 2022 respectively in which you were directed to explain the circumstances surrounding your untoward actions and to also show cause why disciplinary actions should not be taken against you for such acts of insubordination. You bluntly neglected/refuse to respond to the second query, while your response to the first query was unsatisfactory.”

In reaction, Akinsanya announced the breaking away of Lagos branch from the national body, asking the state government to take over pending when the issue would be resolved.

Akinsanya, in a statement released afterwards, urged 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, to ensure peace and tranquillity, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State.

The State Government thereafter announced the suspension of the activities of the union from motor parks with immediate effect following the intractable crisis that has rocked it in recent times.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, announced the suspension order on behalf of the state government.

The statement read in part: “Lagos State Government has been watching closely events in the NURTW.

“There have been claims and counterclaims over the control of the union.

“The Government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians 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.”

However, despite the suspension of activities of the union in  the state, members of the union have continued to issue tickets to commercial bus operators across motor parks and garages in the state.

Our correspondent, who went round the city, observed that the members of the union still collect money from commercial motorists though they are not in their uniform.

It was gathered that the union members do not comply with the suspension order as they force sales of tickets on bus drivers in their usual manner.

They operate in mufti selling tickets to commercial bus drivers at different locations of the state includeing Oshodi, Ojota, Ikeja, Egbeda, Ikotun, Mile-2, among others.

Meanwhile, the suspended union chairman has denied ordering the sales of tickets as claimed by some union members who said they were directed by the chairman to sell the tickets pending the creation of an ad-hoc committee which will subsequently, oversee the affairs of the union.

Earlier, a statement had gone viral purportedly issued by MC Oluomo, backing the sales of tickets.

The statement, purportedly signed by MC Oluomo, reads: “In furtherance with the directive of the Lagos State Chairman, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya of our great Union, this is to formally inform all NURTW Chairmen and entire members of the union to operate your day to day union activities at various motor parks and garages accordingly and disregard any Policemen parading themselves to disrupt your union operations.”

But in a counter-statement, Oluomo denied authorisation of sales, saying: “ My attention has been drawn to a purported news going round on social media of me authorising the sales of tickets. I have never authorised the sale of union tickets. The sales of Lagos State tickets issued are being sold at all the parks and garages across the state.

“I am a law-abiding citizen. I cannot stop the sales of government tickets; I don’t even have such powers. Please disregard the mix-up.”

In another development, it was rumoured that the State Government appointed MC Oluomo as the head of the Parks Committee, the statement which was immediately refuted by the government.

While citizens are wondering why the government is still delaying the setting up of committee to take over the parks, a source at the Lagos State Parking Authority told ECHONEWS that the committee would soon be inaugurated.

The source said the government is putting things in order in accordance with the law to set up committees in each local government.

According to the fourth schedule of the constitution, some of the main functions of local government are: establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences; and construction and maintenance of roads, streets, streetlights, drains, and other public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces, or such public facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly or a State.

Based on these, the Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the Lagos State Parking Authority (LSPA) to immediately begin the full implementation of the state’s parking policy.

The Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Temitope Adewale, said the full implementation of the parking policies would reduce traffic congestion and ensure improved road safety in the state.

He noted that there is law and policy already on parks, emphasising that implementing the policy would address indiscriminate parking of commercial vehicles along major roads in the metropolis.

He said: “The Lagos State Parking Policy has been designed to decongest traffic and address climate change challenges.

“The policy which is created under the Transportation Reform Law was to create job opportunities and generate revenue for the state through issuance of parking tickets to defaulters.

“Hence, there should not be any contention over the steps being taken by the state government following the crisis currently rocking the union.”