Ondo Bans Unions'/Associations' Activities Over Public Exploitation | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

 

Rotimi Akeredolu

The Ondo State Government has taken measures to protect residents in the state amid soaring costs and incessant increases in prices of goods and services by artisans including farm produce and food items.

 

In this regard, the state government has barred all Trading Unions and Associations under the umbrella of Ondo State United Artisan Group, from fixing and enforcing uniform prices of goods and services being sold/rendered by their members and non-members.

 

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo said the decision was taken in the overall socio-economic interest of the people of the State. 

 

The statement:

 

"Government had before now, watched with discomfort and dismay, the economic suffocation of the people with unimaginable increases in prices of goods and services in markets, shops and other sales outlets across the state.

 

"Even without due regard for market forces, it is obvious that associations and unions are largely behind this unwholesome act. 

 

"The state government has decided to act decisively even as the public deserves protection from this undesirable exploitation under some guises. 

 

"Therefore, fixing market prices and imposing fixed exorbitant prices on the people under the guise of association or union must be stopped forthwith.

 

"Accordingly, as part of the measures, Individuals, Artisans, Traders and providers of services as well as farmers are henceforth allowed to operate, sell their produce and render any service in any part of the state as they may deem profitable, based on the principle of demand and supply and prevailing market forces. This is just as membership of associations and unions remains voluntary as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

 

"Consequently, Government's right to regulate the activities of Trading Associations and Artisan groups has to be invoked in the interest of residents. Therefore, on no account should any Union/Association fix or enforce prices of goods and services. 

 

"Similarly, there shall be no sale of tickets to Artisans/Traders by any Association/Union without due approval of the state Government through the Internal Revenue Service”.

"All concerned are, therefore, advised to adhere strictly to this directive as any person or group found to be flouting it will be made to face the full weight of the extant laws. 

"It is to be noted too that this directive takes effect from TODAY in all markets and sales outlets across the 18 LGAs of the state".

Kidnapper sleeps off in victim’s house after taking tramadol

A suspected kidnapper, who wanted to kidnap a pharmacy owner, slept off as a result of tramadol he took before the operation.

The Ondo State Police Command said the incident took place in Owo town , Ondo State, on Sunday, adding that as of Monday, the suspect was still sleeping due to the effect of the drug.

Parading the unconscious suspect at the command headquarters in Akure, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, explained that the suspect and his gang members had invaded a pharmacy in Owo to kidnap the owner.

Joseph said the three-man gang stormed the store with a gun, but the victim raised the alarm and escaped through the back door.

The PPRO said, “After failing to abduct their target, the hoodlums fled, but one of them stumbled because he was not active again due to the effect of the tramadol he had taken.

“The suspect has been sleeping for  more than 24 hours after his arrest while a 400mg tablet of tramadol was found in his pocket. “

The police spokesman said the suspect would be charged to court after regaining consciousness.

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Ex-Deputy Gov's Daughter Found Dead In Her Boyfriend’s Room

It was reported on Sunday, the daughter of Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, a former deputy governor of Ondo State, was allegedly been found dead under the bed in her boyfriend’s room.

According to a source, the lady,  Adenike Oluboyo, was found dead in the room of her lover, Adeyemi Alao, in the Oke Aro area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Adenike was said to be a student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State.

The source said the lady had been declared missing for the past six days before her lifeless body was found under a bed in the room of the boyfriend.

He said, “The young woman has been missing for some days, but no one knew that she was dead and her body was in her boyfriend’s house in Akure.

“It was Adeyemi’s brother that entered the room where the lifeless body of the lady was kept and saw it under the bed. Adeyemi later reported the matter at a police station.”

The source added that the boyfriend had been arrested by the state police command.

There are strong insinuations that the death of the former deputy governor’s daughter might be more than it seemed.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and said some suspects had been arrested in connection with her death.

The state commissioner of police will address the media in the next 48 hours on the sad incident.

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Robbery suspects escape from police cell with handcuff

Two robbery suspects, Rotimi Adeyeye and Adeoye Bukola, have reportedly escaped from a cell of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ondo State Police Command.

It was gathered that the suspects allegedly broke into the house of one Samuel Arifalo in the Ijoka area of Akure, and robbed him of some valuables on April 30, 2018.

A source said they were later arrested and handed over to men of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Akure, who kept them in custody for 16 days.

They were said to have been arrested for cultism instead of robbery.

The source said, “Some residents of the area informed the state Commissioner of Police about the matter and the commissioner directed that the suspects be transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

“On Monday, the suspects escaped from police cell with handcuffs in their hands. Till now, the police have yet to get them.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said the command had started investigation into the matter.

He, however, said the suspects were not arrested for robbery, but for stealing and burglary, adding that the SARS officers on duty at the time of the escape had been arrested.

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