By Innocent Onyeukwu
Contrary to media reports that Imo Transport Company is on the verge of going comatose, the management consultancy firm, Ginikana Global Services, last week, unveiled its tireless efforts to ensure it revives the State owned ailing transport firm.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, the Director, Ginika Global services and MD/CEO of the Corporation, Emeka Duru, said his firm has invested over N3billion naira in the transport firm. He went ahead to point accusing fingers at the Franchise Owners headed by one Emeka Okoro, alleging that his firm has come under severe attacks from this group and other powerful forces in the Corporation who have devised several ways of derailing his tireless efforts to revive the State owned transport company.
Duru said it is unfortunate that these forces are not in tune with the modus operandi of privatization of ITC, stating that these forces have not sheath their swords in a bid to truncate its efforts aimed at placing ITC on a solid footing. He revealed that before his company took over, ITC was enmeshed in corruption as the Corporation lost over 40% of its revenue to sharp and unconventional practices.
He revealed that because his firm is bent on putting a check to these sharp practices that were entrenched in the Corporation by those who have fed fat on it in the past; such forces have come to see him as a clog in the wheel of their nefarious acts.
The Former Regional Manager, Air France International, said his efforts to put ITC on track is in line with the terms of agreement reached with the Okorocha Administration, stating that he has the wherewithal and capacity to transform ITC, having successfully managed similar Transport firms in Ghana.
He stated that ITC has undergone total transformation since he took over its affairs, adding that he employed over 1,500 graduates and cleared to reasonable extent backlog of salaries that has plagued the Corporation for several years. He also said he eradicated favouritism and preference in the Corporation and put a halt to greedy actions of some people such as Mr. Emeka Okoro who has amassed 12 buses for his private use.
Duru said soon, he will add 300 brand new buses at the cost of N6.1million naira each to the fleet of the Corporation’s buses, revealing that the last time ITC brought new buses was in 2007 during Governor Achike Udenwa’s tenure.
He stressed that part of his agreement with the Imo State Government is to remit N250 Million naira to the State coffers annually; despite the fact the he was compelled by the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Rochas Okorocha not to sack any of the Corporation’s staffers. He said he has not faulted in this regard as he has kept to this agreement.
Duru said the Corporation was indebted to the tune of N200 million naira before his firm took over its management of the corporation, stating that he will not be deterred by the antics of anti progressive forces existing in the Corporation to take it to glorious heights.
The Ideato South business guru denied reports that he auctioned some of the corporation’s buses, saying at no time his firm undertook such exercise
