25th September, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has said today’s planned protest by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state over ban of activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) is a breach of the rule of law.
The government said they should embrace dialogue instead of a needless strike.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, said the government had noted the plan by the TUC to protest the September, 2022, suspension of the activities of the RTEAN, Lagos Chapter, in motor parks and garages in Lagos State due to violence and internal strife.
The government said a 35-man Ad-hoc Caretaker Committee was constituted by the State Government to manage the State’s Parks and Garages under the control of RTEAN pending resolution of the internal dispute and to stop immediately the violence in some parts of the State – in line with the recommendations of the Y2004 White Paper on Transport Union Matters in the State.
“Now, the TUC has scheduled a protest for September 25 to force a return of RTEAN to the parks, following a verdict of the National Industrial Court (NIC).
“Meanwhile, the State Government has filed an appeal against this judgment and has a pending application for stay of execution of the said judgment.
“Therefore, the protest will be in breach of the Rule of Law, which expects both parties to maintain status quo, pending determination of the application for stay of execution and appeal,” it stated.
According to the government “the planned protest is of no need and meant to arm-twist and intimidate the government, considering all the efforts being made to resolve the matter amicably.
“TUC/RTEAN should embrace dialogue. It is better and safer for our economic and social well-being.”