The Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has announced an indefinite suspension of revenue collection in motor parks in three local government areas within Benin metropolis.
The suspension order in motor parks in Ikpoba-Okha, Egor and Oredo local government areas, followed clashes between drivers' unions in the state capital within the last few days, which have left no fewer than five persons severely injured.
Trouble started when members of the Drivers Welfare Scheme (DWS) and a revenue collector for Oredo local council led by one Tony Kabaka, tried to stop the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) from collecting dues at motor-parks in the state. www.mannastores.com
Ten persons allegedly sustained various but varying degrees of injuries last weekend, when members of the different factions engaged themselves in a brawl before security personnel took control of the situation.
Fighting however broke out again the following morning when members of the Drivers' Welfare Scheme attempted to stop commercial bus drivers from picking passengers in the different motor parks as a way of protesting the presence of RTEAN in motor-parks. Some of the commercial bus drivers loyal to RTEAN however resisted the DWS members' move, which eventually resulted into a shoot-out.
The melee that ensued paralysed commercial activities at the New Benin area including Mission Road as traders locked up their stores for more than four hours for fear of being hit by stray bullets.
It took the combined efforts of the soldiers and policemen to put the fracas under control and pedestrians were made to raise their hands up before passing.
Following this, the drivers later carried placards in protest of the action of DWS, saying that the only union they recognised is RTEAN and that nobody can force them to buy ticket from National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Leader of the protesting drivers, Lucky Aideyan Ukpomwan said trouble started when they resisted moves by state chairman of DWS, Henry Okaka to stop them from carrying passengers.
"This matter is not our issue. The former president started telling us not to work today and we asked why, he told us the leader has said so. As far as we did not hear from Oshiomhole, we said we must work. Today we were working, we saw some thugs who are not drivers and they started shooting and beating us.
"We want to know why NURTW is forcing us to buy their ticket. Kabaka has been collecting ₦700 and ₦1,000 instead of the approved ₦100 for cars and ₦200 for buses. We have dissolved the Okaka executive. He always told us to support NURTW. If Oshiomhole want NURTW to join us, he should say so."
But Mr Okaka said they went to the motor parks to stop RTEAN from selling tickets to drivers when they were attacked.
"Our drivers resisted them and they started beating them. RTEAN has been banned and it remained banned from operating in the state."
State publicity secretary of RTEAN, Ben Okpokunu said only an act of parliament can stop them from operating in motor-parks. He said they were out to collect their statutory union dues from the members when they were attacked.
A press statement by the special adviser to Governor Oshiomhole on Media, Tony Iyare said that the suspension order is to allow peace and order to prevail.
Source:234
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