By Mumini Abdulkareem and Mike Adeyemi
The National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Kwara State chapter has declared a loss of over N20 million as a result of the lockdown directive by the Federal Government towards the containment of spread of Coronavirus in the country.
The state Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Adeoye Ariwoola disclosed this while answering questions from our reporter in his office recently.
According to him, ‘The union in the state did not have it smooth during the period the lockdown lasted as over N20 million in income was lost to the stay-at- home order.
“It is unfortunate that NURTW in Kwara State recorded a deficit of N20 million in revenue during the lockdown. The National head office in Abuja had already issued to us the statutory tickets we sell to our members.
“Throughout the period, none of our members were able to buy the ticket. At least a driver pays N150 naira for ticket in a day and we have over 40,000 NURTW members in Kwara State. The lockdown really affected our income via ticketing”, Ariwoola said.
He added that NURTW in the state was able to survive the period owing to the palliative put in place by the members of the union alongside the cushion from the state government.
Meanwhile, the Ariwoola has assured the state government that his members would abide by all the laid down rule and regulations by the Federal Government to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
Ariwo who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, said the rules and guidelines were for the benefit of all and sundry.
He explained that the lockdown has seriously affected his members in all ramifications and urged the government to fine lasting solution to the deadly virus rather than the stay at home order.
The chairman urged the federal government to seek assistance of traditional herbal practitioners in finding lasting solution to the pandemic since the virus is curable.
He noted that reducing the number of passengers from 14 to 7 in a vehicle was part of efforts to abide by the protocols imposed by government stressing that the increment does not complement the high cost of car parts and fueling.
The however appealed to the officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), to stop extortion of it members on the road adding that right step should be followed in the prosecution of any driver found culpable of traffic law offences.
Speaking on the indiscriminate roadside parks, Ariwo condemned the action of some independent transporter association across the 16 local government areas, describing it as illegal and unacceptable.
He disclosed that none of its members belong to either NURTW or RTWEA but they are using influence of some politicians for their self interest.
