By Innocent Osuoha
Workers of Imo transport Corporation yesterday (Monday) went on rampage over the non-payment of their seven months salary, three years allowance and other entitlements.
When Trumpeta visited the ITC premises, the entire compound was under lock and key while two coffins were placed at the two entrance to the premises. Various placards adorned the gates, some read, “my people, my people, Owelle Ndi Igbo are ITC people not your people”, “Owelle Ndigbo save our soul from Ginikana Global Services”
Three Hilux of policemen could not deter the rampaging ITC workers who were chanting solidarity songs claim that for almost eighteen years the corporation has not been subvented. They said they generate enough fund but wondered why they could not pay themselves.
Speaking to newsmen, a former chairman of the ITC workers union, Chief Livinus Chukwuemeka Okafor said the workers are owed minimum wage arrears, seven months salary arrears, three years leave allowance, and three years hospital allowance.
Chief Okafor disclosed that all workers including those on franchise are being owed adding that all their protests have fallen on deaf ears hence the workers have resolved to remain on strike until their demands are met.
Mr Chibuna Onyekwe who is on franchise in ITC revealed that since 2011 when the present Ginikana Global Service, to which the company was leased to, came on board, the staff of ITC have been treated like slaves. He was not happy that almost all the staff both at the headquarters and out stations are from Ideato local government areas.
ITC has over two thousand, seven hundred fleet of buses with about five thousand drivers on the wheels in the state. All attempts to get in touch with the M/D Ginikana global services, Mr Emeka Duru failed.
Meanwhile, in a telephone interview the state Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere said he has personally visited the rampaging workers and had held a dialogue with their union leaders.
He said arrangements were already on top gear to tackle the contentious issues.
