Demolition of Park: NURTW appeals to Ambode for alternative space
Following the demolition of New Garage Motor Park at Ikeja, Lagos, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in the state have appealed to the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to provide an alternative space for them.
They explained that the “forceful ejection” has paralysed their business, as they have not been able to gain access to the alternative provided by the government.
Speaking to the press through their chairman, Alhaji Mudashiru Egbedire, the union lamented that since the demolition of the motor park, “over 400 commercial bus (danfo) drivers have been roaming about without any means of livelihood.”
According to Egbedire, the Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) had threatened through the Ministry of Transportation to demolish the park, saying it made good its threat on May 3 when the State Taskforce went to pull down the place.
The unionist explained that the State government gave the Union the land over 20 years ago during the administration of the former administrator of the state, Brig. Gen. Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
“When we complained to the state Government, they asked us to move to the side of railway line, but the place is too small, it can’t accommodate our members. They later asked us to move to a Shopping Complex but we were denied access,” the Chairman said.
In a petition addressed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, members of the union had appealed to the House to intervene by cautioning LAMATA to shelve the demolition.
In the petition, dated March 13 and signed by its secretary, Dr. Matthew Oloko, the union appealled to the House to use their good office and treat this matter with urgency.”
Attached to the petition was a letter sent to the parent body of the Union, which was signed by the leaders of the Ikeja branch.
They included, Alhaji Mudashiru Egbedire, Comrade Abiodun Ariyo, Comrade Samuel Imoukhuede, Comrade Khalid Anifowoshe and Comrade Isiaka Apena.
The State Taskforce on Wednesday 3rd, May 2017 moved to the park, drove away members of the NURTW operating at the park, demolished every structures including all the shops that housed over eleven boutiques and places where other essential items were been sold without prior notice.
