The Lagos State government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) across the state.

The latest development was disclosed in  a statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos, Gbenga Omotoso.

According to him, the government has been watching closely events in the union amid the claims and counter-claims over the control of NURTW.

“The government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors,” Omotoso said. “Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.

“After considering the provisions of the law, the government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.

“The government will set up a committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.”

The government’s decision came a day after the NURTW national body suspended Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, the chairman of the Lagos State chapter, from the association for “acts of insubordination and gross misconduct.”

On Thursday, Mr Akinsanya announced the pulling out of the Lagos State chapter of the NURTW from the national body and called on the state government to take over the parks and garages in line with its white paper on Transport Union activities 2004.