By Onyinyechi Nwankwo.
To foster peace and unity among members of Road Transport Workers, the Imo State Chairman of National Union Of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Hon. Samuel Udeh FCAI, JP (Ezeumuokorobia) has brokered peace amongst Orlu Zone Beach Owners and Tipper Drivers who have been in business disagreements for some months.
The bone of contention for the delayed rancor between the Beach Owners and Tipper Drivers from Umuaka, Isiozi-aka and Njaba branches of the Union, was presented during an emergency meeting of leaders from the various branches of the State, called by the number one driver of the state when he got the report of disagreement from the 2 groups, held at the State Secretariat in Owerri, on Thursday.
Having tabled their case prior to the meeting day via letter, the Beach Owners complained that Tipper Drivers for over 2Months have been on strike, refusing to mine sand from them just because they(Beach Owners) have made a slight increment in the price of sand mining.
Beach Owners noted that the increase in sand excavation price came as a result of the country’s economic meltdown which has directly and indirectly affected the prices of goods and services including the maintenance of mining equipment.
On their part, Tipper Drivers argued that increment should be expected every 4years not sudden, adding that they too are experiencing the economic hardship, as diesel price has also increased, and that they pay through their noses to fix their Tippers and keep it fit. This they said made them reject the mining price increment from Beach Owners, hence the strike.
In settling the dispute, the peace loving State Chairman, who always see to it that members of the Union is united without any member or branch subjugated, meticulously analysed the issue of dispute, gave a fair judgement to it, as he brought the two parties to reach a compromise in the differing prices negotiated by them.
Udeh expressed happiness that the warring Unionists respected him as their Chairman and accepted the peace brokered, saying that he hope that the ugly phase of the country’s economy which brought about the whole increment issue and rancor among his members, also tears and bitterness to the citizens of the country in general would soon pass and things return to normal, assuring the Unionists of his ever readiness to address their issues while accommodating all.
