The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has assured Lagosians that the crisis rocking the national and state council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) will not threaten security in the state.

Mr. Omotoso says a committee will be set up to handle the affairs of all parks so that law-abiding citizens can go about their daily activities without fear.

“NURTW operates in a sector that has relevance to everybody living in Lagos, which is transportation. However, they are just a union of artisans and the likes, but not a force that cannot be controlled by the government,” the commissioner said.

“I want to allay the fear of citizens as the Government will set up a committee comprising stakeholders in the sector, who will take over the running of the motor parks and garages”.

Describing the “excesses” of the NURTW, the Commissioner said the government suspended their operation to avert a crisis that may arise from the disagreement between the national body and the local chapter. Security agencies have been detailed to maintain peace, he added.

“Let me also debunk the erroneous story being circulated on the social media about the union fighting back. I want to advise that our people should learn to take their information from credible sources to avoid misinformation,” Omotoso said.

Omotoso, again, reassured Lagosians that the government is on top of the security of its citizens at motor parks as the activities of the NURTW remain suspended.

On the slain 22-year old lady, Bamishe, who disappeared after riding a BRT bus and was later found dead, the Commissioner said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu personally commiserated with the family and promised that justice will be done in the “unfortunate’’ matter.

He noted that the “BRT buses are still very safe. Since the deployment of the cowry card in 2020, the buses have ferried over 40 million passengers. This is the first time this has happened and it is regrettable.

“The imported buses have cameras while the ones bought from local manufacturers do not have. However, the unfortunate incident has put the government on its toes to ensure that cameras are installed in the latter”.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have wade into the conflict between the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and its Lagos State council.

As part of the efforts to resolve the conflict, the congress has appointed the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju (a National Trustee of NLC) to head a reconciliation committee.

The committee held a closed-door meeting, Wednesday, in Abuja between the executives of the Lagos State Council and Congress Reconciliation Committee.

A statement by NLC’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said: “Frank discussions were held and there was optimism that the conflict would be resolved amicably soon. In keeping with the principle of fair hearing, the Adeyanju-committee will be meeting with the leadership of NURTW on a date yet to be determined.

“A joint meeting will, thereafter, hold with the two parties for the full and final resolution of the conflict.

“It will be recalled that a dispute between the Lagos State Council and the national leadership of NURTW led to the suspension of the Lagos Council which in retaliation asked the Lagos State Government to take control of motor parks in the state. Concerned about the growing dispute, Congress elected to offer leadership by apprehending the dispute.”