My Role In NURTW Crisis That Of Mediator – Labour Minister

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister for Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has cleared the air over allegations of siding a faction in the crisis-ridden National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had accused the Minister of an unholy alliance with a faction in the crisis, and threatened to call out workers on strike if the action persists.

However, Lalong, in a statement by his Media Office at the weekend expressed the readiness of the Minister to ensure the peaceful resolution of the impasse.

The statement, signed by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Olajide Oshundun reads:

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has been drawn to a press release issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on 18th October 2023, wherein it alleged that the Honourable Minister, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong is moving to undermine the critical Labour-Federal Government Agreement of October 2, 2023.

“We wish to unequivocally refute the allegation and put it on record that it is unfounded. Let it be reiterated that since assuming office and upon the dispute between the various groups within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) being brought to his attention, the Honourable Minister has given consistent, adequate and fair attention to the matter with a view to resolving it.

“Several meetings have been held to resolve the issue with representatives of the disputing groups, and the efforts are still ongoing.

“Therefore, it is not correct to suggest that the Minister is supporting any of the groups in the course of the negotiations.

“Members of the NURTW, the NLC, and the entire Labour movement should be assured that the Minister, as Chief Conciliator, will continue to work with all parties to ensure that there is reconciliation, harmony and industrial peace.”

However, not a few people believe that the Minister is likely to be in support of the M.C. Oluomo faction of the crisis against the Baruwa faction, given the relationship of the former to the Presidency.