Various transport union groups that have been at loggerheads for years in Oyo State have resolved to collaborate to reposition the Park Management System (PMS) for peace and sustainable development in the state.
The resolution was contained in a press release by Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.
The state government had convened a Town Hall meeting to find ways of improving the operation of Oyo PMS with the aim of reorganising it to serve the people better.
The meeting came about following the dissolution of the Disciplinary Committee of Oyo PMS, headed by Mr Mukaila Lamidi, aka Auxiliary.
The meeting was held on Thursday at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Agodi, Secretariat, Ibadan.
In attendance were various stakeholders and factions, including Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (Tokyo), Alhaji Abideen Ejiogbe, Olowo Geesi, Abass Amolese, Tirimisiyu Olowoposi and Alhaji Hamidu.
Associations represented at the event included Heavy Duty Truck Owners and Drivers, Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMMORAN) and Association of Tricycle Operators, among others.
Leaders of the groups and unions took turns to appreciate Governor Makinde for creating such a platform to bring them together.
They hailed the governor for making such a harmonious move for the benefit of everyone involved in the Oyo PMS.
They vowed that, after the constitution of a new system, they would work towards boosting the state government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
All the warring factions in the state transport union later agreed to sheathe the sword and work together to make Oyo PMS better.
They also assured that peace would be sustained in the state, in line with the Omititun 2.0 sustainable development plan.
Earlier in his welcome remark, Professor Duro Adeleke who chaired the meeting urged all the stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of Oyo PMS.
He said: “We are here on account of the PMS in Oyo State. Your membership comprises various organisations. What we are advocating for is not to engage in violence.
“Try to ensure that you maintain the peace wherever you are operating. Don’t disrupt the peace and harmony in Oyo State and leave a good example for others to follow.”
Permanent secretaries of the state Ministries of Lands, Works and Transport and Local Government jointly charged the stakeholders to endeavour to speak in one voice
They also charged the hitherto warring factions to embrace and maintain peace and work together to move the state forward.
The permanent secretaries also stressed the need for dialogue whenever misunderstanding arises among the stakeholders.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, represented by Mr Adejobi Akinade, said the law enforcement agency would continue to do everything possible to ensure peace and security in the state.
He counseled: “We have been employed to stabilise peace and order in the state and we will not allow any group or individual to cause chaos.
“Nobody is allowed to possess or go about with unauthorized weapons. Violence will not be tolerated. Nobody should order the killing of any other person.”
At the end of the meeting, a communiqué, detailing all the agreements, was read by the Director of Public Works and Transport, Mr Olatunde Olasunkanmi.
