Truck drivers protest in Aba, ask Gov. Ikpeazu to call council chairman to order …Government suspends activities of the task force constituted by Osisioma LGA

Aggrieved by the persistent meddling of the Osisioma Local Government Chairman into the affairs of their u on, Commercial bus drivers hold protest in Aba, as govt calls for suspension of task force in Osisioma.

Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) operating in Abia State have held a peaceful protest in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

Some of the NURTW members who spoke with our reporter including Deacon Sunday Akoma, the state chairman and Chief Azubuike Asuzu, The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) said that they decided to embark on the protest to show their dissatisfaction over the activities of the Osisioma LGA, Mr. Iheyinna Mgbeahuru whom they accused of meddling into their affairs of the union in Osisioma Motor Park.

According to them, the activities of Mgbeahuru if not put to check would not only cause breach of peace in the local government and Aba in general, but would drag the name of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in the mud.

Deacon Akoma who said that the union members decided not to cause breakdown of law and order due to the love they have for the governor over his performance in recent years asked the governor to call the Osisioma council chairman to order and to stop meddling into the affairs of NURTW in Osisioma.

They also expressed their anger over the plans of the Osisioma LGA chair to use Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ASIEC) to conduct election for the union which they maintained that he has no right to do.

“We have a parent ministry that we report to and not the Local government chairman. What we owe the local government is to pay our tolls and the annual renewal of our operational license, while the union is entitled to other levies. The executive union members of NURTW have been dying in silence and that is not unacceptable to us.

Meanwhile Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the immediate suspension of the activities of the task force constituted by Osisioma LGA which was allegedly harassing commercial bus operators around Osisioma junction of Aba.

A Statement Released by the Honourable Commissioner for Information on Friday Chief John Okiyi Kalu urged buses to continue to use approved loading facilities in the Area.

“Bus and other commercial vehicle operators should continue to use their approved loading and offloading facilities within the area”

The Governor expressed displeasure over the alleged harassment of commercial transporters by touts and others and has directed local government authorities to ensure an immediate end to the practice while evolving a more modern and humane way to collect approved revenues.