.…..As Ekete Debunks Allegations
….Return Back To The Union Olokpa Urges UTQEN Members
The state secretary of Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria, UQUEN, Comr. John Okiemute, has appealed to the Ughelli North Local Government Council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo to be neutral in resolving the impasse between UTQEN and National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Ughelli North.
He made this appeal while accusing the Local government council chairman of using his office to suppress the activities of UTQEN in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State an allegations that was denied by the Ughelli North Media Aide, Mr Efe Ekete.
It would be recalled UTQEN members had fracas with her sister union member, NURTW and were summoned by the Local Government Council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo to resolve the crisis.
According to Comrade Okiemute, “Because of the attack on our UTQEN members, by NURTW, the local government council Chairman called both parties for reconciliation.
“The National Union of Road Transport Workers want to disrupt the peace of this local government and the local government chairman want to be biased on decision making.
“I want let everyone know that NURTW and UTQEN are like twin brothers of the same father and it our call to the local government council Chairman to hear from both parties and know who has the right to operate on tipping trucks drivers in other to manage the situation.”
Speaking on same vein, Mr Benjamin Omoba said, “There is nothing wrong if a group of people want to form an association and we are surprised to see NURTW members coming to attack us unprovoked destroy ing our properties.
“In Nigeria constitution, there is right and freedom of Association as it is unfortunate that our brothers from the union are not comfortable with us.We are still brothers despite this.” Omoba revealed.
On his part, Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Ughelli North branch A, Comrade Felix Olokpa JP, denied attacking UTQEN members as they are an organized body that work with the template of the law.
He said, “We are all union members including those that are claiming to be UTQEN members and we belong to different branches and some of are surprised with the recent developments.
When the state government recently introduced haulage ticket and they disagree and refuse to buy the ticket accusing the state chairman of formulating the haulage ticket on them.
We made them to understand that we are under a state and it is the State Government that is introduced the haulage ticket and not the state chairman and we should work with the state government directly but they turn deaf ears to our plea.
And as a result, they decided to form their so called union and it may interest you to know that Quarry does not exist in Delta State as there are no places for weathering of rock, stones and granite.
“The National Union won a court case against the Quarry them and they were restricted from further actions and the body to recognized is NURTW.
“When we met with local government council Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, he made it clear that he has not heard of anything about quarry and as such it cannot exist in Ughelli North.
“We are calling on them to retrace their steps and come back to the union and stop looking for issues where there non.” Comrade Olokpa stated.
However when contacted the Chief Press Secretary, Efe Ekete said, “The chairman did not take side with any group, rather be asked both parties to go and put their house in order. Before they inaugurated th
e body, the chairman was not informed.”
