NURTW Crisis: How Lagos Agberos Make Over N123 Billion Yearly; Reason For Crisis

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, at the National level has deepened. Most, especially, the economy hub of the nation, Lagos State.

It, however, escalated after the suspension of Musiliu Akinsanya, MC Oluomo, by the National Body led by Tajudeen Baruwa for, alleged, high handedness, insurbodination, abuse of power and lack of respect for the constituted authority.

Though, the Lagos State Chapter of the NURTW has been engulfed in crisis, which led to the killings and severe injuries sustained at Idumota area of the State, as factions within the State Chapter. They had a free for all fight.

The reason for this fisticuff is said to be power of dominance and supremacy from MC Oluomo and the National body, especially with Baruwa.

Lagos State, the commercial hub of the nation, the most valuable State in terms revenue generation, prompting MC Oluomo to ride on that crest and act like a colossus.

According to International Center For Investigative Reporting, ICIR, Lagos State NURTW generates over N123 Billion on a yearly basis.

Analyzing how the Lagos NURTW generates such huge revenue, ICIR highlighted that the number of Commercial Buses in Lagos to be 75,000, with each Bus paying a sum of N3,000 on a daily basis.

At the end of of the Year, revenue generated from buses is a whopping sum of N82.1 Billion.

For Motorcycles, putting into consideration that it is banned in some parts of Lagos, making most Okada riders to operate in the hinterlands of the State,

the statistics of ICIR indicates that there are 37,000 Motorcycles operating in the State and each one of them pay the sum of N600 to the NURTW daily.

Annually, the sum of N8.1 Billion is realized from Motorcycles.

For Tricycles, popularly known as Keke Marwa and Keke Napep, they pay N1,800 daily for the NURTW officials. It is estimated that there are 50,000 Tricycles in the State.

At the end of the year, the Lagos Agberos generate the sum of N32.9 Billion.

These juicy largesse is the reason why becoming the Chairman of the NURTW Lagos Chapter is always like going to war. Candidates deploy any means available to get to the position.

It was gathered that the reason behind the crisis is this largesse, which sources within the NURTW confirmed.

The source said that MC Oluomo was not ready to listen to directives from the National body because the State he governs has the financial muscle and it is also a major financier of the Union.