LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR MEETING WITH STRIKING TRANSPORT UNIONS

The Lagos State Government has called the leadership of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, JDWAN, to a crucial meeting on Wednesday, November 2, the meeting is aimed at finding lasting solutions to their demands.

Recall that JDWAN and other transport unions which include: Ibile Drivers Stakeholders Association of Nigeria, DSWAN, Mega City Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, MCDWA, Federal Assisted Mass Transit Incorporation, FAMTI, Owners, Drivers and Conductors Association, ODCA, Commercial Bus Drivers and Owners Operators of Lagos, CBDOP, Mini Bus Drivers Welfare Association, MNDWA, had on Monday, embarked on a seven-day warning strike action to press home their demands.

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola, when contacted, told Newsmen that the state government was determined to end the strike action as soon as possible.

According to Toriola, “We are aware of the strike action by the transport unions. We have therefore invited the leadership to a crucial meeting on Wednesday, November 2, for further deliberation on how to resolve their demands amicably as soon as possible. “From our initial meeting, we urged them to channel their grievances through appropriate authorities rather than going to the media to make threats capable of destabilizing the peace and tranquility in the state.

“We advised them to go through the recognized National bodies of road transportation in the country, such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, now Parks and Garages Committee and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN because they have to be affiliated for government to be to come in. And address issues.

“Also we have warned them to desist from preventing other transport operators from their daily activities to avoid violent clashes and disturbance of public peace.

“So, the government is seriously working towards resolving the issue as soon as possible to restore normalcy to the affected areas.”

Toriola, however, urged residents to patronize public buses provided by the state government as Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, buses have been deployed to cushion any effect as a result of the strike action.

“The strike action is just about a few individual drivers who felt aggrieved and trying to express their grievances.

They are mainly from Ono and Badagry Local Government Areas,” he stated.