Sola POPOOLA
Members of the various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ekiti State have condemned the last Tuesday’s sudden suspension of operations by the members of the Drivers” Unions and Commercial Motorcyclists in Ado-Ekiti ,the Ekiti State capital.
Acting under the aegis of Coalition of Ekiti Civil Society Organisations (COECSO) the group also decried the alleged attacks on its members and harassment of innocent civilians by members of the drivers and motorcyclists due to the strange restriction of operations.
Addreessing journalists in Ado-Ekiti Chairman of COECSO, Professor Chistopher Oluwadare described the action as grossly insensitive, most especially when the nation was preparing for the General Elections.
The group warned that such brazen action was capable of aggravating the already tensed situation in the country ocaddiibed by economic hardship.
According to him , the action was wrong and insensitive, as there was no prior notice to inform members of the public.
The CSOs said the alleged irresponsible actions of the commercial transporters brought untold hardship to the law abiding citizens,particularly women, children and people with disabilities.
Oluwadare therefore called on stakeholders to , as a matter of necessity rise to the occasion and ensure that the act is effectively curtailed, so as to avoid a repitition of such.
They also commended members of the public for conducting themselves peacefully and not allowing the provocation to lead to total break down of law and order.
” The restriction order directed to her members by the various commercial transporter union’s left many citizens stranded, as children who depends solely on these means of transportation could not go to school, those going to offices had to go back he while she business owners could not find their way to their shops. Those that had important journeys to embark on by public transport were forced to reschedule, as the unannounced action of the unions met citizens unprepared”
” Following the restriction of transportation, there were reports of harassments and intimidation as motorcycles were seized from commercial transporters, school runs disrupted, pupils emotionally troubled and on-going examination of a tertiary institution was cancelled.
He however urged the people of the state to go about their lawful duties without any fear, charging them to shun fake news that can create tension in the public.
“There was no prior notice or announcement of any planned restriction of movements in the media or any channel to the public whatsoever unlike when transport fares of taxis were increased with much online publicity.
“The Coalition urges all citizens to go about their lawful duties without any fear and should shun any fake news that can create tension in the public space. Citizens who have not collected PVC should determine to visit their respective wards or INEC LGA office to collect it and be ready more than ever before to speak with their thumb through voting.”
Condemning the action,the General Secretary of Association of Persons with Disability, Olajide Funso condemned the restriction on transportation, revealing that persons’ with disability were not put into consideration as they had struggles going about their daily activities.
In her remarks the Executive Director, Balm of Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), Tumininu Adedeji also condemned the restrictions, saying that prayers of such shouldn’t shut down essential services and the government should strategize on things that would bring solutions not problems.
Tumininu alleged that her colleague was beaten blue black alongside an okada rider and was forced to delete evidence of the assault on his phone.