Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has vowed to reform the transport sector and tackle all forms of thuggery around motor parks.

President of RTEAN, Musa Maitakobi, stated this, Friday, shortly after presenting certificates of attendance to 17 RTEAN members who completed a strategic leadership, ethics and policy making training at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau state.

At the event, the RTEAN president was also presented with the Nigeria Silent Heroes Award (NSHA)

Noting that the constitution of RTEAN frowns against any kind of thuggery and hooliganism, Maitakobi said the leadership training acquired by its members will change the perception Nigerians have about road transport workers.

He said: “I want to use this medium to thank NIPSS. This is good for those of us who are educated. Initially, the public see us as touts and hooligans but when you go through our constitution, we have the mandate to eradicate tout, hooliganism in motor parks. This also shows that our members are educated because you can’t approach NIPSS if you are not educated.

“Interestingly, we have start seeing the impact of this leadership training. The people who attended NIPSS will take it back to their state chapters and also train others. The truth is RTEAN members are not used to causing trouble. You can’t compare us to other unions. If we are aggrieved, we usually channel our complaints to security agencies because we don’t believe in violence. Take example what happened in Lagos on Monday where we held rally and it was peaceful.

“Also, I want to tell our members that anywhere you find yourself, please be a law abiding citizens. Don’t put yourself into a position that will cause problems, you should not allow anyone to use you. I know that going to do rally or protest is your right but don’t destroy any properties nor fight with security agencies.”

On his part, RTEAN Kaduna State chairman and Vice President, North West, Adamu Jalaludeen, who partook in the leadership training, said the association is taking its right position among labour unions.

He said: “In the past, there has never been a leader who has done this. Our president decided to chose from the rank and file to go for the leadership course. He sent us not because we are the best but because he has the interest of the association at heart. This means RTEAN is taking its rightful position in the scheme of things” (The Guardian)

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