…Call on IGP, Gov.Oborevwori to Intervene
Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) and Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria(TOAN) have decried an alleged Nigeria Police Force’ intimidation and deprivation from collecting their checkoff dues from their members across the 25 local government areas in Delta state.
They thereby called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, to wade into the matter and call their men to order and stop them from being a stumbling block to the smooth running of their association.
The two groups made the outcry at a joint press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents’ Chapel High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemopolo Press Centre, Warrj, Delta State, held at the weekend.
Speaking on behalf of both bodies, the Deputy National President of MOUN, Comrade Julius Bobi and State Deputy Chairman of TOAN, Famous Ogbe Foghola alleged that men of the Nigerian Police Force have continued to harass, arrest, intimidate and deprive them from collecting their check off dues in Delta State.
According to them, both are registered and recognized trade Unions adding that, while MOUN is an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), TOAN is an affiliate of Trade Union Congress(TUC), adding that both unions are backed and recognized by the law to operate in the country.
They alleged that the Nigerian Police in Delta State seemed to be coluding with unregistered union under the aegis of Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association Delta State (COMTOA) with the unapproved usage of Code of Arms by COMTOA to collect illegal check off dues not backed by the extant Trade Unions Act.
According to them, most of their men have been arrested and released on NLC intervention while some are being prosecuted by the police while carrying out their legitimate duties.
According to Comrade Bobi, “We’re challenging the rights of the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association Delta State (COMTOA) for collection of union check off dues because the State Government doesn’t have such a constitutional mandate and never gave them(COMTOA) any. Rather it’s only the Federal Government that has such powers by the Exclusive legislative list of the Constitution of the country through the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment for registered bonafide trade unions including the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria(MOUN) and Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria(TOAN).”
” We acknowledge the State Government’s constitutional right to collect Road Tax under the Taxes and Levies Act. We affirm that Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) and Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) are the legally recognized unions entitled to collect check-off dues from riders, as per Section 17 of the Trade Unions Act. However, the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association Delta State (COMTOA) is not authorized to collect these dues, rendering their actions illegal.
“Furthermore, COMTOA’s unauthorized use of the Code of Arms to collect check-off dues from riders in Delta State is a direct affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and akin to an act of provocation and a criminal act punishable by law.
Corroborating the position of the Deputy National President if MOUN, the Delta State Deputy Chairman of TOAN, Comrade Famous Ogbe Foghola, stressed the urgent need for both the Delta State Government and the Police hierarchy to intervene with a view to addressing the issue before it escalates into a full blown crisis.
He added that from all indications, some local government Chairmen who are benefiting from the alleged COMTOA allegations collections were the ones using policemen in the council areas to intimidate, harass, molest, arrest and even prosecuted their members.
They therefore called on the Inspector General of Police, Delta State Commissioner of Police to call their men to order just as they appealed to Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in the matter to enable them operate freely by collecting their checkoff dues due the Unions from their members.
While calling on their members to remain calm, they charged them to be resolute and not succumb to any form of intimidation from the police to purchase tickets from COMTOADS.
They used the medium to thank the Governor Oborevwori for giving a nod to their Unions’ Operation and his developmental strides in the state just as they promised to always work for him as in 2023, to actualise his mandate for second tenure come 2027.
When contacted for response, the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said the command was not aware of Police involvement in any act of intimidation or harassment of members of the Union and advised that the issue should be officially brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Police Delta State if at it exist.
“If they have issues with any faction, they should put their complaints in writing to the Commissioner of Police Delta state.
However, in the cause of collecting their revenue when there is breakdown of law and order, the police are duty bound to respond.”
