Court okays BITRA, says association at liberty to operate independently

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, on Monday ruled that the Bayelsa Indeginous Tricycle Riders Association (BITRA) has a right to operate independently as an association in the road transport business.

The presiding Judge, Justice Bashar Alkali gave the ruling in a case with suit number NICN/YEN/21/2021 filed before the court by Mr Okilo Afure, Mr Kemepadei Odudu and two others on behalf of Bayelsa Indeginous Tricycle Riders Association (BITRA) in 2021.

The plaintiffs had dragged the Tricycles Owners Assocation of Nigeria (TOAN), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), seeking among others, whether or not they can be forced to be members of the other three unions.

Responding to the judgment, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Ken Okorodas, described it as well-deserving owing to the clear stance of the law on such matters, stressing that going by the judgment, members of BITRA are not liable to purchase the tickets of the other unions.

Also speaking, state chairman of BITRA, Comrade Didi Timipre commended the industry of the judge and their counsel, Ken Okorodad as well as their patron, Chief Nengi James for standing by them through the thick and thin of the matter.

While, the pioneer chairman of the association, Mr Okilo Afore, excited by the judgement, said the association will now heave a sigh of relief and operate fully in the state.

On his part, the patron of the BITRA, Chief Nengi James, commending the judgment, wants government and all those concerned to honour the judgment and work with the association amicably, especially as they bear an indigenous identity.