TheCable

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, has ordered the indefinite suspension of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

This comes after a clash between factions of the NURTW left one person dead and many injured on Tuesday morning.

The clash, which occurred around Benin-Ado garage along Ilesha-Owo expressway, also left several vehicles damaged.

According to Doyin Odebowale, senior special assistant to the governor on special duties and strategy, members of the union were also ordered to immediately vacate all motor parks in the state.

He said the government’s decision was prompted by the unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders.

Odebowale, however, noted that the suspension will not affect the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

“The government hinged its decision on unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders which resulted in violent attacks on members and other innocent people of the state,” he said.

“The government will not continue to fold its arms and allow innocent citizens to suffer in the hands of NURTW members who have resorted to violent attacks in recent times.

“This morning, there was pandemonium in major motor parks as NURTW officials engaged themselves in violent attacks, brandishing dangerous weapons such as guns and cutlasses.

“This indefinite suspension does not affect RTEAN, whose members have comported themselves in a peaceful manner.”

Last Monday, the government had suspended the activities of the NURTW and RTEAN in the state.

Odebowale said the suspension was to allow the unions to meet and settle their differences in order to prevent violent clashes between them.