The Abia State government has urged the Cooperative Motors Union of Abia State and the National Union of Road Transport Workers to operate in peace in the state, promising full security assistance to enable them to operate smoothly.
Commissioner for Transport Hon Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu stated this in his office in Umuahia on Thursday when the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria(MOUN) visited him in his office.
He told the Motorcycle union that there is already a state recognised and constituted union called Abia State Motorcycle Operators Union (ASMOPU) as directed by Governor Alex Otti, but promised that the State will collaborate with the National body of the union to work in a synergy in the area of curbing insecurity amongst operators.
The Commissioner urged the national body to obtain their operational permit from the ministry of transport before they can be allowed to operate in the state.
Hon. Ukaegbu also emphasised that the Otti-led Administration will not tolerate any form of superiority clash between the state recognised and constituted union and the national body because this had happened between Cooperative Motors Union of Abia State and the National Union of Road Transport Workers which led to the banning the national by government of Abia State.
Speaking further, the Commissioner reiterated that Abia State government is a pro-business government hence the provisions of enabling business environment that allows businesses to thrive hilter to the intervention of his Governor Otti in ensuring that rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads infrastructure development in the state currently on going are top-notch for easy movement of people, goods and services from one location to another.
Speaking earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Abia State Chairman represented by the state secretary Emma Alozie who led the Union’s team, thanked the commissioner for changing the narratives and bringing sanity to Abia roads especially the Isi-gate that is now witnessing serenity and orderliness.
The NLC state secretary, also said that he came with the union because they are affiliated members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and so it is the duty of NLC to come and introduced the union to the Commissioner and the ministry of transport as one of the relevant government MDAs charged with the responsibility as overseers in the transport sector of Abia.
The NLC Leader further stated that the Union is not coming to the State to run contrary to the visions of the state government but to form a synergy in the area of generating revenue accruable to government and curbing crime amongst motorcycle operators/riders.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the MOUN, Chief Francis O. Onuoha emphasised that their mandate is to synergize and form alliance with the government in ensuring that revenue is generated and to get the database and help in curbing insecurity amongst the motorcycle operators.