By Kingsley Amaechi
Trouble burst out yesterday at the premises of Imo Transport Company (ITC), Owerri when staffers and franchise owners vent their spleen on the management consultancy firm managing the corporation-Ginikana.
For several months now, the franchise owners and staffers have battled with the management consultancy firm over unresolved issues.
Imo Trumpeta learnt issues such as deduction in salaries of staffers, an unconducive climate for franchise owners which has led to bus owners withdrawing some of their buses are cumulative factors said to be rocking the relationship between the bus owners and the consultancy firm.
It was gathered that staffers are presently owed 2 months salary arrears by the firm a situation which has led to a breakdown in the relationship between the consultancy firm and the staffers.
The “cold war” was said to have reached a breaking point yesterday which forced staffers the ground activities at the park located at MCC road, Owerri.
When our reporter visited the park yesterday, placards were pasted on one of the ITC buses with the inscription “we don’t want Ginika Global Services in Imo ITC” Ginikana services, leave ITC Alone”.
The entrance gates of the corporation were shut as armed mobile policemen were sighted, ostensibly maintaining security to ensure no breakdown of law and order.
An official of the Franchise Union, who spoke to Imo Trumpeta on condition of anonymity, said details of the face off will be made available to the public after their meeting with the Imo state Commissioner of Police, CP Adisa Bolanta yesterday. Another report has it that union members later went to Government House for further discussions aimed at resolving the matter.
Investigations, however, revealed that some ITC buses coming into Owerri from various parts of the country were seen dropping passengers at several locations. This led traffic congestion in some parts of the state.
One of the ITC drivers who spoke to Imo Trumpeta opposed the involvement of Ginika Global Services in managing the affairs of ITC. saying they lack the technical know-how to effectively manage a transport firm, a situation which has led to crisis at the transport company.
