The news that Gov. Seyi Makinde has proscribed the notorious NURTW in Oyo State is a welcomed development worthy of commendation. Any government that strives to promote peace and cater for protection of lives and properties is unarguable ‘the people’s’ government.
It should be noted that Gov. Ajimobi also started on this high note and till the last hours of his administration, even his foes commended his performance on security.
It is sardonic that in a state blessed with abundant human resources, some rag-tag individuals will be holding people and governments in jugular for no reason than a quest to live a life larger than their sweats. I was commenting on a Facebook post of a friend who suggested that the union be scrapped 24 hours prior the decision of Mr. Governor that scrapping NURTW is not enough but government at all levels especially in Oyo State should stop patronizing them.
Public transport sector should be one of the core revenue sources for Oyo State government considering the population and nunber of public commuters (Danfo, Micra, Keke Napep and Okada). Oyo state boasts of the second largest number of commercial transportation in Nigeria. It is assumed (from unverified data) that Oyo State has more than 80,000 public vehicles, 20,000 Keke Napep, and about 150,000 Okadas. How on earth will a government hand over such a huge revenue generation potential to a few individuals?
The administration of the public transport sector left one to wonder how much the previous government from 1999 have cornered using their front as NURTW Chairmen at different time. This is the more reason the position of NURTW Chairman is as important as the office of the governor itself. Ridiculous!
To move forward from the current status quo of siphoning the funds coming from this sector to the private accounts of individuals, Gov. Makinde should look beyond this proscription and chart a holistic plan of generating moderate revenue from this sector. A situation whereby the Governor will come up in few months time with an appointment of a caretaker Chairman for the union as obtainable in the last administration is not sustainable. Rather, an agency should be established to run the affairs of public transportation holistically.
It will not be less appropriate if there could be Oyo State Agency for Public Transportations. An agency that will be directly responsible for the management of public transportation and the revenue that will be accrued theirs in. It is no gainsaying that this sector can generate amounts sufficient enough to repair all the dilapidated roads in the state in four years while carrying out enforcement that will ensure orderliness in the sector.
With this agency, the NURTW can continue with their union as it is their right to organize themselves as an organization but the government will take away the right to collect revenue that is due to the state.
If we are truly a pacesetter, we can set a pace in the transport sector for other states to follow.
Lekan Salawu is a public affairs commentator, a Cooperative Economist with keen interest in people’s – government relations. He was the Director of Policy and Strategy for Oyedele Hakeem Alao Campaign Organisation (Allow ALAO) in the last Governorship election.
