By Anayo Okoli
THE JOINT Motor Union of Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State, has called on Governor Theodore Orji to stop the authorities of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area from forcing them into one union, which they warned could spark off crisis in the area.

The group gave the warning even as they appealed to the Governor to provide adequate facilities to the new central park they were relocated to. The joint union is comprised of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Cooperative Union, Road Transport Employers of Nigeria and National Association of Road Transport Owners.

In a Save-Our-Soul letter to the Governor, the group alleged that plans had been concluded to force them to merge as one union and that “money to the tune of N10 million had exchanged hands to this effect”. They further alleged that a date for the announcement of the merger has also been fixed.

“We sincerely implore the government to intervene to avoid possible breakdown of law and order, loss of lives and property,” the group pleaded in a letter by four of its leaders selected from the four federating unions.

“In as much as we are law-abiding and ready to cooperate with the government, we will like the government to uphold the principles of human rights to avoid loss of lives and property,” the restated.

They gave instances of other states where people were relocated peacefully and in good environment.

They noted that their old park was demolished with little or no notice to the motor unions, food vendors, artisans, trade unions and traders, and even commuters, but despite that “we have embraced peace, progress and even the movement.”