Delta State Trustee of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Comrade Benjamin Ebrusike has described a recent Press Conference by the Delta State Block Industries and Concrete Association against the Union as standing the truth on its head and a blackmail against the Union.
Comrade Ebrusike made the statement while reacting to the call by the Block Industries and Concrete Association to encourage Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to go against the Court of Appeal, Asaba which ruled that drivers transporting blocks are members of the NURTW.
The State Trustee of the NURTW advised the State leadership of the Block Industry Association to abide by the Appeal Court ruling.
On Monday, the Delta State Chapter of Block Industries Association accused the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW of illegal collection of fees from drivers transporting blocks.
Reacting to the accusations, the State Trustee of the NURTW, Comrade Benjamin Ebrusike said the block Industries and Concrete Association led by Chief Lawrence Akatakpor, was economical with the truth as the Asaba Appeal Court has set aside the judgement obtained from Otor Udu State High Court restraining the Union from collecting fees from the union’s drivers transporting blocks.
“Chief Lawrence Akatakpo claimed in his Press conference that the drivers were harassed since 2006. It’s a lie from the pit of hell. The question is, when was his Association registered? The NURTW was almagamented in 1978. Were there no people moulding blocks then? Were they not purchasing dues or paying dues to the Union? The answer is yes,” he said.
Displaying the two judgments given at the Otor Udu State High Court and Asaba Appeal Court, the State Trustee of the NURTW, charged the leadership of the Block Industries and Concrete Association to stop misleading members of the public with lies and mind the business of moulding blocks.
He said transportation of blocks falls under the purview of the NURTW.
He said, “Our drivers are not working with them because the business of block Industries Association is to buy sand, buy cement for their offices, mix them together and mould blocks “.
Making reference to article 16 of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ebrusike noted that the Union is in charge of transportation of all passengers and goods except petroleum products.
According to him, “It is not correct because what they are trying to do is the business of the Union and they are not Trade Union members”.
He disclosed that drivers of established industries like Dangote Cement are under the Union and see no reason for the block industries association to whip up unnecessary sentiments.
Comrade Ebrusike said, “They are trying to go through the backdoor. They should have been patient and waited for the judgement of the Supreme Court because the Union is a law-abiding organization. Whatever that comes out of the Court we will obey”.
Comrade Ebrusike cautioned the leadership of the Block Industries Association to stop blackmailing the State chapter of the NURTW.
He noted that the Union is law-abiding and will continue to do its business in line with the law.
