Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, has said that he would no longer allow transport unions or any other body to sell tickets to commercial drivers in the state.
Akeredolu said greed was pushing factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, to engage in bloody fight over sale of tickets.
The comments of Governor Akeredolu followed a continued clash between factions of NURTW, which has led to the killing of one person, several persons injured while vehicles were vandalised.
Akeredolu had penultimate Monday suspended activities of NURTW and RTEAN from motor parks in the state for a period of two weeks over fears of a possible clash.
On Sunday, eight persons were injured in a clash at Owode area when thugs reportedly loyal to Ondo Chairman of NURTW, Jacob Adebo Idajo, attacked some NURTW members opposed to Idajo leadership.
The clash continued on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Ola Garage in Akure despite a peace meeting called at the weekend in Osun State and attended by various factions.
One person was shot dead and several others injured while vehicles were vandalised.
The victim was identified as Ademola Ademoyegun Shina while Adeyemi Samuel Ojuyobo and Akinyemi Bayo were injured in the process.
Both factions were reportedly summoned by National Chairman of NURTW, Tajudeen Baruwa, and the Zonal Chairman, Olamilekan Salami to Osogbo on Monday for peace meeting but it ended in deadlock.
Sources said Idajo was advised to bring peace to the Ondo chapter of the union to allow the union resumes operation at the garage the following day.
A leader of the other faction against Idajo leadership, Toyin Olaoye Fayagbe, said: “Some of us were still at home this morning when our members called that they were been beaten at the park once they are identified as one of the delegations to Osogbo meeting. It was in the process that a group of armed thugs numbering about thirty approached the park and opened fire on them, killing one and leaving two injured”
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, Governor Akeredolu said the state government would continue selling ticket to commercial drivers.
His words: “No union ticket will be sold in Ondo. You do not come and sell ticket from sundry sources. You collect money directly and still be beating and injuring people.
“We never wanted to send many people off the road so as not to create a social problem. We have a state to run. The tickets were given to the two factions and monitored by our office.
“If they were not greedy, that should be okay for them. The idea of one individual sitting in one corner and collecting money meant for the State is over. No more selling of union ticket in Ondo.”
Source: The Nations News
