Alleged extortion: Commuters panic as Imo factional bus drivers declare two-day warning strike
02 August 2022 |
2:38 am
Imo State’s commuters are in panic, following plans by a faction of Imo bus drivers, under the aegis of the Imo Bus Drivers Association to commence a two-day warning strike and peaceful protest today
Uzodinma. Photo/FACEBOOK/govtofimostate
Imo govt dismisses the action, blames displaced drivers
Imo State’s commuters are in panic, following plans by a faction of Imo bus drivers, under the aegis of the Imo Bus Drivers Association to commence a two-day warning strike and peaceful protest today (Tuesday) in the state.
The drivers in an unsigned statement, issued via social media platforms, said they were protesting against alleged extortion by officials of the Imo Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), noting that any defaulter would have himself to blame.
The statement read: “We Imo bus drivers association in all routes and franchises painted or not painted are going on two-day warning strike based on the maltreatment we go through from Imo ENTRACO. All drivers should park their buses on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 2 and 3, 2022. All routes are to organise themselves to maintain the strike.
“Note: It’s a peaceful strike: Time: 6:00a.m. Warning Note: Any driver, who violates the warning strike, has himself to blame for anything he comes across in the hands of our task force. Signed: Imo Bus Drivers Association.”
Some commuters, who spoke to The Guardian on the issue, urged the stakeholders in the transport system to avert the planned action since they would bear the bulk of the problem.
A commuter, John Nwosu, said: “If bus drivers are allowed to embark on the strike, socio-economic activities will be affected and grounded.”
On her part, Ngozi Okechukwu urged the state government to wade in and avert it.
“I am appealing to the state government to step in and settle whatever problem. I say so because if they are allowed, every commuter will suffer and this will trickle down to other activities in the state,” she said.
But, a group, which claims to be the umbrella/ amalgamated body of bus drivers’ associations, under the aegis of Imo City Transport, chaired by Anelechi Ukanwunne, has dissociated itself from the warning strike.
Speaking on a privately owned Owerri -based radio station, Hot FM, Ukanwunne said they did not approve such a strike, advising every bus owner in the state to disregard the statement.
He maintained that the body was the only one authorised to declare such action.
Ukanwunne admitted that he was aware of a group of physically challenged bus drivers, numbering about 300, whose offices were demolished by the state government, triggering their action to protest on Tuesday and Wednesday (today and tomorrow).
Reacting, the representative of Imo State Ministry of Transport, Chief Rex Anunobi, in a statement, yesterday, urged law-abiding bus drivers to go about their businesses, guaranteeing safety. He stressed that the ministry had the statutory power to register and regulate buses, adding that the only recognised body is Imo City Transport.
Anunobi blamed those masterminding the action as the recently displaced drivers, who use unapproved areas on Douglas and Mbaise Road axis in Owerri capital city.
“Imo State Traffic Management Agency (ISTMA), and ENTRACO were authorised by law to work in partnership to ensure sanity in the traffic system and environment in the state,” he added.
Related
58 mins ago
Landmark Group said the Lagos State government is yet to consult it on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road construction and beach sand filling. Landmark made this disclosure in a statement on Thursday and said the issue of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road passing through Landmark Beach remains a topic of wide-reaching discourse. The Group said it wants…
1 hour ago
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has secured an exparte injunction restraining further action on his purported suspension as member of the party. In an exparte motion granted by Federal high Court in Kano, Wednesday, Justice A. U Liman ordered the purported suspension of Ganduje as member of the…
3 hours ago
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday declared former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello wanted. The EFCC is prosecuting Bello over an allege money laundering of N80.2billion. The former governor was absent in court earlier today when the EFCC arraigned him. Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest…
3 hours ago
President Bola Tinubu has approved system-wide policies to comprehensively overhaul the education sector to improve learning and skill development, increase enrolment, and ensure the academic security of the nation's children. The approved policies are captured as DOTS, an acronym representing: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development, and Skill Development & Acquisition. According…
3 hours ago
Some Directors of agencies under the Ministry of Aviation who were recently relieved of their appointments have dragged the federal government to an industrial court. They said their appointments were statutory and should be allowed to finish their tenure The complainants in separate suits filed by their lawyer, Patrice Akwara prayed to be reinstated or…
5 hours ago
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the application by a former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano which sought to quash the N40B money laundering charges brought against him by the federal government. The Judge in a ruling delivered on Thursday faulted and rejected all grounds upon which…
5 hours ago
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and others to honour the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Fagbemi also hit out at Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, for obstructing the EFCC from arresting his successor, Bello…
5 hours ago
Police in Lagos State have arrested a driver, Azeez Babatunde, for alleged unlawful possession of two locally-made pistols in the Maroko area of the state.
5 hours ago
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State. The adjournment, set for April 23, 2024, was prompted by the pursuit of substituted service and the possible arraignment of Bello for…
6 hours ago
The crisis rocking the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn, as the party's lawmakers in the National Assembly kicked against a plot to extend the tenure of the Acting national chairman of the party, Umar Damagun. The spokesperson of the group, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere speaking to journalists in Abuja, claimed that they…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.