The leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State has stated its resolve to phase out illegal collections from minibus operators.

While addressing minibus operators at the state secretariat of the union in Ibadan on Saturday, the caretaker chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, said the new executive had noted the complaints of the minibus operators who were being excessively extorted and would definitely move to forestall further exploitation.

According to him, “Your complaints have come to our notice and we want to assure you that all illegal collection points will be phased out. We will not allow bus stop to bus stop collection of dues. As from now, collection of dues will be only at loading and terminal points. Tickets should not be more than N50.”

He thereafter directed all the branches to intimate the state secretariat with all the collection points with a view to pruning them as appropriate.

The chairman said in order to forestall the perpetration of illegal due collections, the union would soon introduce uniforms that would be worn by those authorised to collect the dues. 

Explaining what led to the abuse of due collection, Oyerinde attributed it to the banning of the NURTW, adding that with the union not being available to coordinate the activities of drivers, everybody became a lord unto themselves.

Oyerinde, who assured the members that all their challenges would be tackled by the state secretariat, added that, “All aggrieved members should channel their grievances to the state secretariat. We want to assure them that their complaints will receive instant attention.”

The chairman enjoined all members to cooperate with the leadership of the union in order to ensure lasting peace in the state council. He also urged them to shun those who might want to use them for personal gains.

Oyerinde stressed that any branch inflicting pains on its members would be heavily sanctioned.