WORKERS OF ABIA OWNED TRANSPORT COMPANY PROTEST NON-PAYMENT OF SALARY

Reporter: CHINEDU ANYASO

The Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, wants public servants to desist from aiding government appointees to siphon funds generated by the agencies. Dr. Agbazuere gave the advice at Government House Umuahia while addressing members of staff of Abia Line Network Company during a peaceful protest to register their greviances.

Dr. Agbazuere was of the view that no government appointee could embezzle money without the collaboration of  workers. He reminded the protesters that Parastatals had laws establishing them.

 He noted that privately owned transport companies often survived and pay their workers but wondered why the reverse is the case with Abia Line. The Chief of Staff called on public office holders to see their appointments as a call to serve and to better the lots of their workers and not an avenue to amass wealth for themselves.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman Abia Line Labour Union, Comrade Israel Ogbonna, said the protest was due to the hardship they were going through as a result of non-payment of their salaries for several months, despite generating huge funds on daily basis.  

 Comrade Ogbonna said since assuming office over two years ago, the General Manager, Chief Kingsley Mgbeahuru, had only paid them four times, adding that members of staff of Abia Line were being threatened at will by the General Manager.