Quiet Panic “The End Is Here” Amongst Lagos Transport Union Chiefs As Gov Akinwunmi Ambode’s Suspends Their Activities In Oshodi

Though they remain divided and go to extreme measures to outwit one another but Lagos transport chiefs always rally round and present a common front against any threat against their business from the government.

And for long, the Lagos state government has adopted different but futile strategies to break their ranks based on unceasing complaints of their activities from the public.

But government appeared to have finally found a firm grip on the situation.

And this is based on declaration that all transport union activities is suspended in Oshodi, the hub of ongoing violence over the killing of Rasaq “Hamburger” Bello one of the union topshots in the area.

The death of Hamburger has pitched warring chiefs in the area against one another, pointing of accusing fingers and unravelling dirty secrets involving alleged sponsors and top government individuals.

While the violence rage in form of reprisal and counter attacks in the midst of plot to hijack the “plum” business at stake, the state government has waded in and announced suspension of union activities in the areas concerned.

While the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers led by Tajudeen Agbede, a fierce rival of the union chief most affected by the development, Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) appears to back the government’s step, sources insists there are silent fears amongst the transport chiefs that this may be the beginning of their end.

Oshodi is one of the most lucrative spot of the NURTW operations. And the suspension stops collections of all dues by the association in the area until peace returned to the area and investigation of Hamburger’s death concluded.

According to a source “this is a huge populist move by the government, because this gives the motorists and commuters to operate freely without the killing dues of NURTW agents and their highhandedness”.

Societynow gathered the move gives the government opportunity to let the people go through a transport experience with the harassment of union agents using one of the strongest points of operations of the NURTW.

“I can tell you, it an opportunity commercial drivers and commuters have long dreamt of” a source stated.

“It will certainly be an experience to cherish, the commuters free from verbal and physical harassment and commercial drivers separated from cruel fees that take the chunk of their earnings…I tell you the government already has the people on it’s side with this move and many will want it to be permanent” another source declared.

And that is the silent fears of the transport chiefs.

They fear that the ban on transport activities may become popular in Oshodi and be replicated across the state – taking away their relevance and incomprehensible earnings.

Societynow gathered this is especially because it is open secret that the governor Akinwunmi Ambode led government has put in place the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) through which 5,000 air-conditioned and convenient buses would be injected into the transport sector.

A move that requires the absence of transport union and their agents off the roads to be successful.