By Onyekachi Eze
The entrance gates of the five star Concorde Hotel Owerri, Imo State were yesterday placed under lock and keys by the management and staff of the hotel no thanks to workers union, known as National Union of Hotels and Personal Services NUHAPS who not only stopped customer service but also marched on a peaceful protest around the entire Concorde Avenue, thereby obstructing the free flow movement inside and out of the hotel.
Narrating their ordeals to newsmen at the scene of the event, the branch chairman, Comrade Uzonwanne Sunday expressed dismay on the non-challant attitudes employed by the present administration under governor Rochas Okorocha, stressing that since August 2013 they went into agreement with the Governor to update their monthly salaries as at when due which he said Okorocha gladly accepted, what they later found out was that him (Okorocha) is no more interested in the deal.
Meanwhile, he disclosed that Okorocha gave out the hotel to an individual addressed as ABM who occupies the position of the manager in the hotel. Noting that ever since then after paying off the first phase of the agreement on August 2013, they decided to abandon the other two stages which ought to be on October and December 31st 2013 and termed such character exhibited by Okorocha as “fraudulent”
Contributing, the Assistant General Secretary of NUHAS, Comrade Eustace Nlem added that Okorocha has lost all the trust people bestowed on him by the ugly stories of non-payment of salaries of civil and public servants. However, Eustace pointed out that the Article IV of the agreement signed by the Chief of Staff of Imo State states any problem of non-payment should draw their attention, which also gave them the leverage to be having their meetings and gatherings inside the hotel.
Speaking further, they threatened to take a drastic measure which was being dictated by the song (Imo must be better why we are suffering, Okorocha you have done bad, therefore no 2nd tenure for you).
Addressing the angry workers, the Imo state chairman, of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Dr Reginald Amanze Anyadike agreed with the plights of the protesters, saying that what they did what was a right thing to be done while their rights were infringed upon. On the issue he also said that the management had for long been notified with numerous letters addressed to the appropriate quarters.
The NLC boss meanwhile solicited for their patience but advised them to continue if nothing positive is done regarding their plights.
Among the inscription on the placards reads; “Owelle, your Govt has rendered us jobless, Concorde now a two star hotel, courtesy of Owelle and ABM among others.
Meanwhile, Members of Association of privately owned Imo Transport company (ITC) fleet, were said to have threatened to cause trouble in the state if the management of the place refuses to fulfill own agreement with them earlier.
The fleet owners last year alleged that there was a sharp practice by the management as they accused them of working against the contract agreement signed.
It was also alleged that the accruing franchise that was supposed to be paid to them by the company was diverted a development Trumpeta learnt has been causing, a lot of confusion and mayhem.
One of the fleet owners, Mr Charles Njoku who spoke to our reporter at ITC premises said the vehicle owners have all agreed to withdraw there vehicles from the road as from next week if the company refuses to pay their arrears as agreed.
The workers have also registered there grievances over their unpaid salaries. Some of the aggrieved workers according to source are have threatened to lock up the premises to drive home their demand.
This latest decision was the backdrop of the meeting of fleet owners held in Owerri recently.
Information revealed that up till mow the management of ITC has refused to remit their franchise to designated banks for their collection.
Our source further hinted that the drivers of the company have reported their case to higher authorities demanding that the management of the company should respect the memorandum of understanding which both parties signed.
Some of the Drivers who spoke to our reporter hinted that Global Ginikana Services limited a company with its office at No 16 Mbonu Street D/line Port Harcourt Rivers State is the major cause of the problems.
Trumpeta, learnt that ITC management and the fleet owners agreed on 80:20 ratio of daily returns.
The fleet operators, were to collect 80% while the ITC management collects 20% as agreed when Bar. Nelson Ezerioha who represented the Government in the MOU was the commissioner for special duties. The report for now shows that the management has taken both the 80% and 20% without given any kobo to the vehicle owners up till now. Moreover the workers have alleged that Global Ginika services Ltd is own somebody government knows. Imolites who spoke on the matter have advised Governor Okorocha to declare state of emergency on the place and sack the chairman of the place for incompetency.
The Governor was also advised as a matter of urgency to appoint an interim management committee to oversee the affairs of the place before things gets out of hand.
Attempts to reach Ginikana management failed
