The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has debunked the report credited to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Commissioner in Lagos that the association does not have the capacity to provide the needed vehicles for use in the coming general elections.
A statement released on Friday, 10 February, 2023 in Lagos, signed by the Chairman of the Association in the state, Alhaji Kayode Odunowo, described the INEC Resident Commissioner’s claim as false.
“NARTO has more than enough vehicles for this exercise and we’re well prepared for the coming elections more than the INEC can imagine,” Alhaji Odunowo said.
According to him, “NARTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INEC at the national level in 2022 details of which were forwarded to all the state branches of the association.
“Lagos NARTO swung into action since then, meeting with both state INEC’s Head of Administration, Operations as well as EOs at the local government level.
“We believe the negative position of INEC in Lagos is a total reflection of purported threat of other unions in the industry that are in business relations with some element within the electoral body.
“Any deal or collaboration between INEC and other unions, either legal or illegal, is out of our knowledge officially”.
Alhaji Odunowo assured that NARTO is not only prepared to perform its duty of providing enough vehicles for the exercise but also remain committed to the success of the 2023 General Elections.
