RTEAN Inaugurates National Secretariat 43 Years After Formation
By Adeyinka Aderibigbe and Nicholas Kalu, Abuja – The Nation
The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) yesterday inaugurated its multi-million naira national secretariat in Abuja, after 43 years.
The one-storey building secretariat, which comprises several offices and a conference hall, is situated in Wuse Zone 5 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who inaugurated the building, stressed the importance of transportation to the economic growth and development of the country.
He said: “We must not underplay importance of road transport union. The union contributes immensely to Nigeria’s economy. Your value to our economy is recognised by government at all levels.
“The government would continue to do what it can to help your industry thrive. We will also continue investing significantly in road transport, which will expand your routes.”
The Speaker urged the union to adapt to the new reality of social and economic changes in order to thrive in different circumstances.
Gbajabiamila hailed the RTEAN National President, Alhaji Musa Muhammed, for mobilising people and resources for the project.
Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, lauded the rapport between the union and the government to improve the transportation sector while ameliorating the transportation challenges in Nigeria.
Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr. Habiba Lawal, noted that RTEAN is a union backed by law and committed to the transformation and reformation of the transportation sector of the economy.
“It is, therefore, a matter of necessity for RTEAN to continue to transform the sector, in line with the best global practice.
“RTEAN, however, is to champion the reformation of the transportation sector and ensure the actualisation of the government policies, anchored on integrated and technologically driven transport system that guarantees efficient, comfortable and seamless service delivery that are aimed at socio-economic development of Nigeria and employment generation for the youths,” he said.
Women Affairs Minister Pauline Tallen praised the transport union for setting up a women’s wing to ensure gender parity.
Labour and Productivity Minister Chris Ngige, who was represented by the Registrar of Trade Union (RTU), Amos Falonipe, said the RTEAN House would help the union to discharge its role to nation by providing quality and affordable transport system.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, announced that the commission’s partnership with RTEAN was to ensure safer roads across the country.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, hailed the leadership of RTEAN for reforming and reorganising the union to give it a new outlook and change the perception of people about transport operators.
TUC National President Quadri Olaleye described the RTEAN President as an apostle of peace, saying every economy requires infrastructure that would add to quality of lives.
Muhammed, who also hailed all stakeholders for their accolades, said the October 13, 2020 Industrial Court judgment in Abuja, which favoured him, liberated the union.
The union leader said the judgment was the foundation of the union’s reformation and achievements, adding that it demonstrated that the Judiciary is the hope of ordinary citizens.
“It is our aim to reposition the road transport sector to support our commitment in reforming the public transport management to support policies of the government and the daily needs of Nigerians with their connectivity and mobility,” he said.
The event was attended by dignitaries, politicians, traditional leaders, leaders of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), among others.
