The Motorcycle Operators? Union of Nigeria (MOUN) and the Tricycle Owners? Association of Nigeria (TOAN) have accused the Delta State Police Command of persistent harassment and unlawful obstruction in the collection of their statutory check-off dues.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Warri on Saturday, the Deputy National President of MOUN, Comrade Julius Oghenevwegba Bobi, alleged that security operatives have continued to frustrate the unions? lawful operations despite clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS) and explicit legal backing.

?As bona fide trade unions, we are qualified to collect our check-off dues from our members, but we are being deprived of doing our duties,? Bobi said. ?The DSS has cleared us, yet the police remain our only challenge.?

He explained that the unions had presented all relevant legal documents, including provisions under Section 17(a) and (b) of the Trade Union Act, which guarantee their right to collect such dues.

?Even after showing the police these provisions, they insist we cannot collect our dues. The law is very clear,? he added.

The union leaders further alleged that the police are actively backing an unregistered body?the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Association, Delta State (CMTA)?which they claim issues fake tickets and illegally collects fees from operators.

According to Bobi, ?The police in Delta State are aiding the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Association of Delta State, an unregistered trade union without the right to collect check-off dues from our members.?

He added that a similar association had already been declared null and void by the Industrial Court in Port Harcourt, making its operations unlawful.

The crisis, according to the unions, is further worsened by political influence. The State Deputy Chairman of TOAN, Comrade Famous Faghola, accused a local government chairman, Comrade Obi Ezete of Ndokwa West, of using his position to undermine the unions.

He alleged that Ezete, also described as a state leader of a rival association, places local government chairmen on a monthly payroll of ?300,000 to suppress MOUN and TOAN activities.

Faghola cited a specific incident in Udu Local Government Area where the chairman allegedly instructed police officers to stop the unions from operating.

?We were even petitioned by the SSG and arrested in Asaba. But after the Assistant Commissioner of Police investigated the matter, we were released because we are legally recognised to operate,? he said.

Several members narrated personal experiences of intimidation by police and community youths allegedly hired to disrupt their activities.

Comrade Meshach Akhareda from Isoko North alleged that officers threatened to arrest him if he attempted to carry out lawful union duties.

?The police told me I had no right to operate. I was threatened with arrest for extortion, breach of peace and even robbery,? he claimed.

MOUN?s Delta State Public Relations Officer, Comrade Michael Awhotu, recounted being arrested while attempting to assist a detained ticketing staff member.

?In Ughelli South, youths were used to victimise our members. Some were injured. In Agbarho, youths were even paid to kill our members,? he alleged.

The unions appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene urgently, insisting that their activities are lawful and fully backed by the Trade Union Act.

?All we ask is for the government to do the needful. What we are doing is lawful, and the law governs this country,? Awhotu stated.

However, when contacted for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, dismissed the allegations.

He said: ?Let them show proof and explain how the police are aiding anyone. In the discharge of their duty, if they operate lawlessly, the police cannot sit idle and watch.? (Tribune)

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