– We increased the daily payments to take care of the Market – Chairman
By Peoples’ Guide Reporters
Mini truck drivers and other drivers including tricycle operators numbering over one hundred and eighty persons have again embarked on peaceful demonstration requesting for a reversal of sudden increase in the market levy imposed on them by the new leadership of Linus Edeh memorial Timber Market, Abakaliki.
The chairman of Drivers Delivery Association, Abakaliki Timber Market, Mr Ogbonna Nkwede said the protest was a way to register their grievances and appealed for Ebonyi state government intervention in ensuring that the levy hike is quickly reversed.
Mr Ogbonna who threatened indefinite strike if the leadership of the market refused to reverse the hike, noted that one of the timber market levies which was five hundred naira (#500)was raised to three thousand naira (#3,000) for 608, mini buses, tricycles, and other vehicles operating in the market.
Adding his voice, the Secretary of the union, Mr Joseph Eze accused the market leaders of destroying their office and chasing all the vehicles away from the park and falling trees where drivers rest during the day and urged Ebonyi state government to intervene and bring permanent peace in the market.
Corroborating the report, the General Chairman mini truck operators in Ebonyi state, Mr Nnadi Everest expressed displeasure over the market leadership position, and called on the drivers to remain law abiding as they wait for government response.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman, Linus Edeh Memorial Timber Market, Mr. Israel Ochishi said the review and increment in the internal levy was uninimously agreed in their meeting and was meant to improve maintenance in the market especially in the area of roads and erosion control so as to make it motorable for vehicles during rainy season.
“prices of things has increased generally and there is no other way we can maintain this market apart from the levies. Even the timber dealers daily payment and that of higher trucks, 912 was also increased.
“We had invited ministry of market development to come and see our situation, yet no positive response yet. So they should bear with us, knowing that what we did was for the interest of everyone in this market, including the drivers who are protesting ”
He further refuted the claim of chasing the drivers out of the market, saying that the demolition of shanties was inline with government directive to create expanded space for smooth running of drivers activities in the market. He appealed dialogue from the drivers, adding that the drivers leaders have been invited to their next general meeting for discussion on the issue.
When contacted on phone, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Transport and Special projects, Prince Emeka Igboke condemned the levy increment saying that Ebonyi state government is making efforts to bring the two parties together for a common understanding.