Yakubu Busari
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Plateau state chapter has protested the introduction of speed limits device by the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) .
The Chairman, Alh sikiru Usamat Bello slammed FRSC for introducing the policy on speed limits device on motorists to the tune of N50, 000.
Bello said speed limit device which was impose on them by the FRSC is not ideal as he decried that Nigeria roads didn’t require the use of speed limit devices because the country does not have good roads to install these devices.
According to him ,all drivers in plateau state didn’t agree to that use of device because of the security risk involve ,our vehicles convey goods worth millions of naira and armed robbers usually block the major roads to attack our members .
“We didn’t agree to that device and we are calling on federal government to reverse that policy especially at this period where family cannot afford to buy food to take care of their children”, he explained.
Bello warned that if government refused to listen to their plight they will be forced to shut down business activities for one month in plateau state and its environs.
He explained further that the most worrisome problem motorists are now experiencing is the sharp practice among security apparatus where they embark on extortion of money from their colleagues who are helpless.
We are issuing two days warning strike to government to reverse that unpopular decision or faced the wrath of union leaders in the state.
Collusion chairman emphasized that the former chairman of NURTW was attacked by suspected gun men but escaped with wounds and with damage to his car.
Alh Ahmadu Tanti described the action of FRSC as uncalled for where government will wake-up to introduce 15,000.00 before obtaining driving license through driving school.
Adding, he said; “we have problem, this cheating, so we are going to embark on indefinite strike and we are calling on government to take a critical look on the plight of the drivers and reverse their decision.
He cautioned that the challenges of buying new tires and installation of N45,000 speed limits device will not help them to settle the balance of the car and they are ready to file a suit to challenge FRSC decision.
Responding, the NURTW state secretary, Mr Dele Akintola, said; “I Don’t know what is happening, to the best of my knowledge some of the members just approached me and asked me of my position on NURTW on speed limits device .
My response to them is that as a union, we take directive from the headquarters on the speed limit devices; they are yet to get back to us, so the position the headquarters is supreme.
According to him, we scheduled meeting with stakeholders in plateau state on the 6th, 10, 2016 where all the chairmen were summoned for an emergency meeting by NURTW state chapter of which the state scheduled to brief them on the development.
“I believe the issue of speed limiting device will be top on the agenda so we called on the members to remain calm that nobody should take the law in his hands as lawless ,impunity doesn’t reign in NURTW ,I know our members they are not violent people but law abiding members” he noted.
Another driver said; “this thing is coming at the wrong time when we are finding it very difficult to feed our families, to pay school fees of our children and FRSC are coming with the device of N50, 000.00, we think is a deliberate attempt to make our members protest against President Muhammadu Buhari administration which we voted for massively.
“We want the government to look into its more, where is the road in Nigeria even as armed robbery attack is on the increase, we appeal for government to scrap mobile court and no FRSC policy”.
