Okpebholo Lifts Ban On NURTW In Edo As Union Elects New Leaders

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has lifted the ban on activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the State.

Accordingly, the Union has elected a new set of executive members who will pilot its affairs for the next four years.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, on Friday in Benin City.

He said the new executive led by Comrade Saturday Oamen which was inaugurated at the Government House in Benin City, was charged to bring peace, progress, orderliness and protection of the rights of the common man.

The charge was made by Governor Okpebholo, National President of NURTW, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as Mc Oluomo and other national officers of the union.

The swearing-in of the newly elected chairman and other executive members of the Edo NURTW followed the lifting of ban on union activities by Governor Okpebholo.

The inauguration of the new executive was performed on behalf of the National Headquarters by the National Secretary of the Union, Comrade Kayode Agbeyana with the Oath of Office administered on the newly elected State Council officials for a four year tenure.

Governor Okpebholo represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Umar Musa Ikhilor, expressed the appreciation of the Governor for the support given to him during the September 21 gubernatorial election hence the lifting of the ban to enable the union contribute to the development of the State.

The Governor said the NURTW as an arm of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) represents the interests of Edo people and promised that his administration has resolved to bring peace, progress and orderliness to the union.

He noted that with hundreds of thousands of members of the union across the country the State Government is comfortable with its national leadership under Alh. Musiliu Akinsanya describing him as a man who will bring peace to the State branch of the union.

He added that with the support of President Bola Tinubu and the first Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Edo will witness lots of dividends of democracy denied the people by the immediate past administration.

Okpebholo tasked the newly inaugurated Executive to bring the desired change to the road transport sector in the State.

“I express my profound appreciation for the support given to me during my campaigns for the governorship election. That was why I decided to lift the ban, open the doors to welcome you.

“This is a government for the people, we recognize NURTW as an arm of NLC and a very vital organ representing the ordinary people and the workers. In this light, my administration will support and work closely with the union to bring peace, orderliness and progress to Edo State.

“We take this union very seriously because it caters for the common man who the government represents. We are very happy and comfortable with the leadership of the union. We are confident that they will bring the needed peace and orderliness in the State.

“Edo State under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda will witness a lot of progress, development and growth like never before. We hope that this union will bring the desired change in the road transport sector in the State.

“Our charge to this union is that there should be peace, orderliness, prosperity and let no man be oppressed under the leadership of the union,” he said.

On his part, National President of NURTW Alh. Musiliu Akinsanya urged the new Edo State NURTW Chairman Comrade Saturday Oamen to carry every member along and ensure peace across all branches across the eighteen local government areas of the State Chapter.

He emphasized that keeping in touch with members will guarantee his success in the next four years.

National General Secretary, Comrade Kayode Agbeyana noted that despite the disarray which previously affected the Union’s activities the State Governor lifted the ban on activities of the union to enable their swearing-in to bring peace and progress to the State’s Transport sector.

Edo State Ag. Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Bernard Joman said the inauguration attests to the rescue of the NURTW after over twenty years of hijack by previous leaderships of the union.

“For over 20 years now, one person has been the Chairman of this union but the performing governor of Edo State came and rescued the union and the people of Edo State.

“On behalf of NLC we thank the governor for his move to restore the union back to its former glory by ensuring the right thing is done.”