The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has agreed to track members’ vehicles electronically to address the spate of kidnapping and insecurity on expressways.
The union, during the National Executive Council meeting at the Union Zone II Secretariat, Ikirun road, Osogbo, said the move became necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and goods.
National President of NURTW, Tajudeen Baruwa, told reporters after the NEC meeting in recent times, the union has lost many members to banditry while many were kidnapped.
He said: “The council, after series of deliberation and discussion from stakeholders across nations, considered e-tracking of commercial operation for our members to reduce the spate of crime and ensure adequate security for all.
“We have resolved to use tracking to monitor our members’ vehicles. This will help us to alert our members of impending dangers.
“We admonish our members to be security conscious, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria is worrisome. Many times our members are been kidnapped across the country, we have lost many members as a result of insecurity and there is no compensation from the government.
“So we really need to be careful and vigilant when we are on the steering. E-tracking will help passengers and our members after we put it to use”.
He said the union will commence 200 housing estates in each of the states for its members to further help their welfare.
Baruwa kicked against the decision of Oyo, Ogun and Ondo Governors to prescribe the union in their states.
He warned that if the decision is not reversed, the union will not hesitate to drag the government to court.
He enjoined Federal Government to capture members to benefit from the Survival Fund initiated to cushion the effect of COVID-19 by those that lockdown affected.
Source: The Nation