The relative peace being enjoyed in Okene town and other parts of Ebiraland is under threat, unless something urgent is done by concerned authorities and security agents, to avert an imminent clash/crisis between the two existing association of transporters, the NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS (NURTW) and the ROAD TRANSPORT EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (RTEAN).
The threatening crisis, which is likely to result to disturbances to public peace is sequel to the inability of the two warring transport associations to co-exist peacefully in their operational activities in parts of Kogi Central.
In what seems to be a warning signal, members of the ROAD TRANSPORT EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA in Okene and it’s environs, yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, to protest the undue blocking of their members from operating their commercial activities within Okene township.
The protesting members of RTEAN who were armed with a letter of authority to operate their transportation activities issued by Kogi State Ministry of Transport and signed by the commissioner for Transport, Hon. Abubakar Victor Levi, also carried placards with various inscription such as; “RTEAN is registered to operate”, “RTEAN is for Peace”, “No to Injustice, allow us to operate freely” and “we have endured enough”.
Addressing the Press, on behalf of the protesters, the state Deputy chairman of RTEAN, Comrade Muhammed Sadiq, disclosed that members of the RTEAN in the area were formerly under NURTW but split to join RTEAN because of irreconcilable differences.
He however expressed worry that since then, members have not known peace, as the leadership of the NURTW engages in the use of external influences to witch-hunt them and disallow their free operations.
Comrade Muhammed Sadiq who said RTEAN members have their fundamental rights to belong to any association of their choice, complained that for over two years members of the association in parts of Kogi Central have not been able to operate freely, prompting them to approach the state Ministry of Transport that issued them a letter of authority to operate their transportation activities.
In the letter that was addressed to the five council chairmen of Kogi Central and dated 10th April 2025, the contents introduced the RTEAN as duely registered and recognized by the federal government of Nigeria and Kogi State to carry out transportation activities in all parts of the country.
The letter which was signed by the state commissioner for transport urged the concerned council chairmen to cooperate to enable the association operate. More so, as their activities will increase internally generated revenue in the LGAs.
Despite this letter of authority, the RTEAN were blocked from operating in Okene during the week, thus precipitating the peaceful demonstration in Okene town.
