Lagos suspends RTEAN operations, sets up caretaker committee

Bisi ABASS

Following the deadly clash among members of the body on Wednesday led to mayhem at Iyana-Iba area of Ojo, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, with two people feared killed, the Lagos State Government has suspended all activities of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) with immediate effect.

This is in a bid to fulfill one of the cardinal objectives of the T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda of the present administration in Lagos State as it relates to Security and Good Governance under Traffic Management and Transportation.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa said the suspension became imperative following some pockets of violence recorded in Ojo and Lagos Island on Wednesday, saying a 35- Man Caretaker Committee has been constituted to take over activities of the Union.

Giwa reiterated that suspension became necessary to prevent further acts of violence in the State, stressing that men of the Lagos State Police Command would be deployed across the State to enforce the suspension and ensure safety of lives and properties.

He revealed that the State had met with some representative of the RTEAN on Wednesday following a protest by some members of the union demanding the removal of their National President, saying the government had assured the RTEAN members of total investigation of the allegations leveled against the National President with a promise to resolving all lingering issues.

The Caretaker Committee is headed by Hon. Sulaiman Adeshina Raji with Bamgbose Oluseyi as Deputy Chairman.

Other members of the Committee include; Sunday Aransiola, Sulaiman Onabanjo, Azeez Abdulrahman, Isiaka Seriki, Victor Ifemenam, Kareem Babatunde, Amusan Abdulrahman, Teslim Adeshina, Sulaiman Surajudeen and Fatai Rauf.

Also in the committee are; Sunday Banjo, Segun Omole, Thomas Akinkayode, Taiwo Lasisi, Gbenga Kashimawo, Samson Ajala, Taiwo Daodu, Sule Aliu, Ahmed Musa and Oladipupo Ibrahim. Adewale Adeniyi, Olatunji Durojaiye, Wasiu Olanrewaju, Taofeek Onileola, Yusuf Afolabi, Bode Ogungbade, Alh. A.A. Ussaini, Saliu Usman, Saheed Badru, Kolawole Yusuf, Kayode Thomas, Idowu Oyewole and Salami Babatunde Ope are to also join them.