NURTW Supports Lagos Plan To Register, Identify Tricycle Operators
The Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has expressed support for the state government’s initiative to capture the data of commercial tricycle operators as part of efforts to improve regulation and accountability in the transport sector.
The state secretary of the union, Comrade Usman Teslim, disclosed this in an interview, describing the collaboration between the union and the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation as a step towards ensuring proper identification of tricycle riders across the state.
Teslim said the initiative would create a reliable database of commercial tricycle operators, adding that it would help government authorities strengthen monitoring and bring greater order to the sector.
He noted that the exercise would later be expanded to include other categories of commercial transport operators such as motorcycle riders, bus drivers and other stakeholders in the industry.
According to him, the union is fully committed to supporting the government’s plan, which he said would promote sanity, accountability and improved service delivery within the largely informal transport sector.
Speaking on reforms within the NURTW, Teslim said the union had recorded significant progress in improving the conduct and public image of its members.
He maintained that members of the union were now more disciplined and committed to complying with established rules and regulations, while distancing themselves from past negative perceptions associated with transport unions.
Teslim also highlighted the growing adoption of democratic practices within the union, saying elections had become more peaceful and leadership transitions smoother.
“We are not yet there, but we are working strongly to see how we can move forward with a modern transportation system,” he said.
The NURTW official further disclosed plans by the union’s national leadership to enrol members in the pension scheme under the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
He explained that the initiative would provide retirement security for transport workers who often spend decades in service without financial protection after leaving active work.
Teslim urged PenCom to consider extending the initiative to other informal sector groups, including traders and small business operators, to broaden pension coverage across the country.
He also appealed to drivers and other transport operators to remain disciplined and cooperate with traffic management authorities in ensuring safer and more efficient transportation across Lagos State.
