The Rivers State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has appealed to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to grant soft loans to members to boost their businesses and give them a lifeline.
Speaking while fielding questions to journalists at his office in Port Harcourt, Monday, the State Chairman, Chief Monday Eleazar JP, said granting of such loans would enable them replace rickety vehicles which puts their lives at risk on daily basis.
Assuring that the leadership of NURTW in the state was prepared to sign as surety to recipients of the loan, Chief Eleazar said, “We are ready to stand as guarantors. If the government can give us about N2.5m and want each driver to deposit N300,000 per week, it will go a long way”.
The Chairman who hinted that leadership of the body had come up with membership registration form for its members, added that NURTW in the state also gave several palliatives to members during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Eleazar explained that the leadership of the Union has met with the Commissioner for Transport to work out a proposal on how to assist members, adding that ha had expressed readiness to receive the proposal.
The Chairman also debunked the rumour making the round that the leadership of the Union in the State has increased the transportation fare.
His words: “The leadership of NURTW in the state has not increased transportation fare but if individual commercial transporter decides to increase transportation face then you don’t blame him. This could be as a result of the costs of spare parts in the country. Ordinary engine oil that used to be sold at N5000 is now being sold at cost of N7000”.
He reiterated that since NURTW are tenants, nobody should expect members of the union to maintain motor parks or garage. He further stated that since NURTW is one of the highest employers of labour in the country, there was the need for the government at all levels to create the enabling environment for members of the union to function and operate.
