Construction activities in Edo, Delta States, and neighboring regions face potential disruption as the Union of Tippers and Quarry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEN), issues a stern ultimatum to the Delta State government.
The ultimatum demands an end to what they claim is the extortion of their members transporting quarry materials from Delta and Ondo states into Delta State and beyond.
In a meeting held in Benin City, the UTQEN accused various entities, including the National Union of Roads Transports Workers (NURTW), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), and certain individuals, of forcefully collecting levies from their members, often resulting in physical harm.
The union expressed its readiness to enforce a strike by setting up task forces along transportation routes between the two states if the Delta state government fails to address their grievances by April 6, 2024.
Comrade Wilson Ogbaxhi, Edo State Deputy Chairman of the Union, stated the challenges faced by their members upon entering Delta State, citing exorbitant fees ranging from N21,000 to N60,000. He called for peaceful resolution, stressing that the union operates within the confines of the law.
Among their demands, the UTQEN called for an end to the alleged forceful extortion of N3,000 from tipping truck drivers at designated entry points into Delta State.
They also raised concerns about the proliferation of illegal stickers, purportedly issued by colluding individuals within the Delta State Ministry of Transport, demanding hefty sums from their members.
Additionally, the union condemned the NURTW’s imposition of daily fees amounting to N15,000 on tipping trucks offloading in Delta State, a stark contrast to the N3,500 fee levied at the source loading points in Ondo and Edo States.
If their grievances remain unaddressed, the union warned of a complete withdrawal of tipping trucks from Delta State until conducive conditions are restored for their operations.
