The Truck Owners Association of Nigeria has appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on the resolution passed by the State House of Assembly regarding revenue collection in the mining sector.
The association called on the governor’s intervention as the resolution of the Assembly over the ticketing issue between the Nigerian Union of Mine Workers and the Truck Owners Association of Nigeria goes in favour of Union of Mine Workers.
In a letter dated March 26, 2024, addressed to Governor Abiodun, the association expressed its objection to House Resolution No. 086/OG/2024, which calls for the collection of revenue by the Nigerian Union of Mine Workers.
Urging the Governor to urgently intervene on the matter, the Association argued that the resolution contradicts previous agreements and a judgment from the National Industrial Court.
According to Kizito Roberts, the association’s legal practitioner, the resolution does not reflect the discussions held between the Truck Owners Association and the Nigerian Union of Mine Workers during committee sittings.
Additionally, they contend that the House of Assembly lacks the authority to determine the jurisdictional scope of the union, as it falls under the purview of the Ministry of Labour.
It reads, “RE: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.086/OG/2024 – A CALL ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF REVENUE COLLECTION IN MINING SECTOR PRE-ACTION NOTICE OF INTENTION TO GO TO COURT.
“We are Solicitors to Truck Owners Association of Nigeria (hereinafter refer to as our Client) and on whose behalf we write this letter.
“We write further to the above referenced House Resolution which was passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly on 21 March 2024 and forwarded to good office on the same date. We write to express our Client’s objection to said Resolution for the following reasons:
“The Resolution is not reflective of the discussions and agreements reached on the conflict between Truck Owners Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Union of Mine Workers, State Council during the Committee sittings;
“The Resolution is contrary to the judgment of the National Industrial Court in Suit No.NICN/AB/05/2019- INCORPORA TRUSTEES OF TRUCK OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA & 7 OR NIGERIAN UNION OF MINE WORKERS & 8 OTHERS.
“A copy of Judgment is enclosed in this letter. The House under the guise of revenue collection, cannot sit as an appellate court over judgment of the National Industrial Court.
“The House of Assembly does not have the legislative competence over Trade Unions, being a creation of the Act of National Assembly and as such cannot determine the jurisdictional scope of Nigerian Union of Mine Workers”.
Alhaji Azeez Alani, an executive of the Truck Owners Association, voiced concerns over the resolution, stating that it grants the Union of Mine Workers the authority to collect revenue from owners of granite, despite not owning the quarries themselves.
He emphasized the association’s commitment to resolving the issue amicably but warned of potential repercussions if the resolution is not reversed.
Similarly, Engr. Gbenga Animashaun criticized the resolution, stating that it deviates from the original purpose of addressing harassment from the Union of Mine Workers. He emphasized the importance of freedom of association and called for revenue collection only from registered members.
The association urged Governor Abiodun to intervene and halt the implementation of the resolution to prevent further escalation.
They emphasized their willingness to seek legal recourse if necessary and called for a return to the initial understanding reached between the parties involved.
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