…Seek
continuity of Fashola’s lofty programmes as Governor hosts first Quarter 2015
Town Hall meeting with Transport Sector Operators
All the registered unions in the transportation sector in Lagos State on Tuesday expressed support for a continuity of the lofty programmes of the Babatunde Fashola led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration just as the Governor formally handed over the Governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to the unions and associations in the sector.
The
handing over and endorsement of a continuity by the APC formed the high points
of the First Quarter 2015 Interactive Town Hall Meeting hosted by the State
Governor with all the registered unions and organizations in the transportation
sector which took place at the Blue Roof Hall, LTV Ground, Agidingbi.
The
unions and their leaders present at the interactive session included the
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Tajudeen Agbede, Road
Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr Olaleye Amusan,
Motorcycle Owners Association of Lagos State, (MOALS), Comrade Tijani Pekis,
Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), Comrade Joseph
Odusanya, Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association of Nigeria(LSTDCOA),
Prince Tajudeen Adetoro, Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria(UTOEN)
Alhaji Salisu Adebayo, Modern Taxi Cab Operators, Mr Ajakaiye, Nigeria
Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Chief Jacob Fayeun and Motormechs
Technicians Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN).
Speaking
at the event, the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport
Workers (NURTW), Mr Tajudeen Agbede expressed the support of the Union for the
candidate of the APC in the forthcoming elections.
He
added that the apprehensions of the leaders of the transport Union about the
ability of the APC to get a suitable replacement for Babatunde Fashola has been
addressed by the emergence of Akinwunmi Ambode in the primaries and the
cooperation between him and the outgoing Governor.
He
maintained that the Union has seen signs of unity and continuity between the
duo and expects that the same level of support enjoyed from the Fashola
administration would also be continued when Mr Ambode emerges as the Governor -elect.
Also
speaking, the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria
(RTEAN), Mr Olaleye Amusan expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for the
wonderful support and recognition the union received during his terms of office
and expressed the hope that the same would continue under the administration of
Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
The
Chairman of the Motorcycle Owners Association of Lagos State, (MOALS), Comrade
Tijani Pekis while speaking, commended the State Government for the measures
put in place to reduce deaths and accidents through Okadas.
The
Chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN),
Comrade Joseph Odusanya who also spoke, expressed the appreciation of the
association to the State Government for facilitating the unification of the
various factions in the association.
The
Governor in his address, said the people must never make the mistake of voting
for any Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2015 general elections
because the party has not done anything for the people of Lagos.
He
said the Subsidy Reinvestment Fund (SURE-P) which is meant for Lagos is being
used by the ruling party at the centre to buy Permanent Voters Cards in the
State, warning that the residents must be vigilant.
The
Governor who had earlier asked the members of the audience to indicate if
indeed they were happy with the present APC Government in the state and would
want a continuity which was responded to with an affirmative answer said since
it was by popular affirmation that the people wanted a continuity; such an
agreement should not be broken.
He
added the present administration has been very supportive of the people and has
ensured that it delivered on all its commitments including the repair works on
the connecting joints of the Eko Bridge which is a Federal Government owned
structure.
He
stated that similar repair works have been carried out on the Alhaji Masha
Bridge and the Apapa Bridge such that the faulty expansion joints that have
been responsible for damaging shock absorbers of vehicles were replaced.
He
explained that residents of areas like Agiliti, Mile 12 to Ikorodu area and the
Lagos Badagry Expressway which is being expanded are all enjoying a new lease
of life because of the revitalization of the roads by the State Government.
Governor
Fashola said rather than improving the lot of operators of the transportation
sector, the PDP led Federal Government decided to increase tariff on imported
vehicles by 35 percent thus making it more expensive to import vehicles for transportation
purposes.
He
said the new tariff on imported vehicles was billed to take effect in January
this year but that the Federal Government had to beat a retreat in order to
deceive Nigerians about its real intentions by pushing the take off it till
after the elections in June.
He
added that the PDP administration is one which thrives in unfulfilled promises,
adding that four years ago when President Goodluck Jonathan came to campaign in
Lagos, he promised to reconstruct the Lagos Airport Road , but that four years
after, there is no sign to that effect.
He
reiterated his appeal to all residents of the State who are above 18 years to
go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards which would be available for
collection at the various Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Local Government offices till January 31st.
He
said voting is an inalienable right of every Nigerian citizen of voting age and
must not be surrendered to anybody and not even any government, adding that the
PDP plans to disrupt the election but that Nigerians would not allow that.
While
responding to an issue raised on building of mechanic villages in the state,
the Governor said the State Government has already held a meeting with the
Chairman of the NURTW where he asked all the stakeholders to come up with building
plans for the intended places.
He
said up till now the Union has not gotten back to the State Government on the
list, giving a commitment that when such a compilation is sent in, work will
start on it and that the ones that could not be completed now would be handed
over to Akinwunmi Ambode to complete.
In
his address, the APC Governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode said the
emphasis of the incoming administration would be on technical and vocational education
and developing the capacity of artisans.
He
added that the administration would work assiduously to produce well qualified
mechanics, plumbers and technicians to stave off loss of job openings to
immigrants from neighbouring West African States.
He
gave a commitment that if elected, he will add value to what the Fashola
administration has done and ensure completion of all road transport projects
and ensure their appropriate usage.
He
stated that his administration would also provide more motor parks in the state
and also put in place a small scale entrepreneurship finance scheme to assist
operators in the transportation sector.
The
event was attended by members of the State Executive Council including the
Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, the Secretary to the
State Government and running mate to the gubernatorial Candidate of the APC, Dr
(Mrs) Ranti Adebule, Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi,
Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Mr Seye Oladejo and several members of
the different associations and groups in the transportation sector in the State.
No comments:
Post a Comment