The Ekiti State government has threatened to proscribe the state chapters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), if the two bodies got involved in violence henceforth.
The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who gave the warning on Monday at the signing of peace accord by the leadership of the two drivers’ unions, said nobody would be allowed to disrupt the peace of the state.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Odunayo Ogunmola, the two unions expressed satisfaction with the term of the peace deal brokered by the state government.
The NURTW Chairman, Mr. Oso Farotimi and his RTEAN counterpart, Chief Rotimi Olanbiwonnu led other officials of the unions to sign the peace agreement.
The peace accord was sequel to a meeting held by the Deputy Governor with the representatives of the two unions on 6th November to find a lasting solution to violent clashes among NURTW and RTEAN members.
The Deputy Governor advised members of the two unions to see themselves as brothers and not as enemies in the pursuit of their daily bread.
Egbeyemi said the full weight of the law will be visited on any union member who unleashes mayhem in the name of inter-union rivalry, saying the peace of the state remains paramount to the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Lanre Ogunjobi and Special Assistant (Political) to the Deputy Governor, signed as witnesses to the peace agreement.
The union members who signed the agreement under a convivial atmosphere pledged their commitment to the implementation of the terms
in the interest of peace of the state.
The terms of agreement stipulate that each union should collect their dues from their respective members.
It was also agreed that money realized from patrol on Ikare route and all other routes shall be jointly shared by both unions.
It was also resolved that each union should maintain their parks, that is, where they are now stationed without trespassing to another park.
The two unions in accepting the terms of the agreement pledged to abide with all the conditions stated above.
The two unions pledged in the agreement that any union that causes disturbances/riots in Ekiti State shall be banned.
They also resolved with government representatives that any union that violates any of the conditions shall be sanctioned.
