Members of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria have rejected calls from its leaders to call off its seven-day strike action.
The members embarked on the strike to protest against the alleged extortion by officials of the Lagos State Park and Garages Management on the roads in the state.
According to Vanguard, The JDWAN leadership, led by Akintade Abiodun during a meeting on Wednesday had implored the members to call off the strike.
As gathered, the meeting was held with representatives of the state government led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola, held at the ministry’s conference hall, Alausa, Ikeja.
Meanwhile, the state government and the transport union leadership agreed to postpone the meeting to allow for a greater turnout after members of Lagos State Parks and Garages, led by Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, failed to show up after waiting for hours for JDWAN members.
JDWAN at the end of the meeting had directed other transport unions to resume operations, which include: Ibile Drivers Stakeholders Association of Nigeria, Mega City Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, Federal Assisted Mass Transit Incorporation, Owners, Drivers and Conductors Association, Commercial Bus Drivers and Owners Operators of Lagos, Mini Bus Drivers Welfare Association, had on Monday, embarked on a seven-day warning strike action to press home their demands.
Also, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola stated that the Lagos State government is committed to resolving the situation.
He also enjoined JDWAN and its affiliates to Channel their grievances appropriately to relevant authorities for positive results.
Toriola said, “If you had informed the government of your grievances through proper channels it would have been resolved without getting to this level.
“Hence, we call this meeting to restore, peace, normalcy and tranquillity to the affected areas.”
Toriola subsequently, fixed November 4, Friday, for the rescheduling of the inconclusive meeting, after a unanimous decision by both parties.
“The recognized National bodies of road transportation in the country, such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, now Parks and Garages Committee and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, were here earlier but later left due to obvious reasons.
“Government is seriously working towards resolving this issue as soon as possible to restore normalcy to the affected areas,” he said.
