Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Enugu State Chapter, will resume full operation in the state soon.
The association has written the Department of State Security, DSS, and the Police, informing them of their intention to resume work which had been suspended since 2017 following a crisis of leadership between it and the Association of Tricycle Riders Union, ATRTU.
According to the Chairman of TOAN, Comrade Kingsley Edeh and the Secretary, Comrade Mesachi Udeh, following the judgment they obtained from the National Industrial Court sitting in Enugu on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, delivered by Justice O. O. Arowosegbe, they are to operate without molestation and interference from the Enugu State Government or the security agents.
Speaking to journalists, Thursday, Comrade Edeh said TOAN being a registered and recognised trade union, had approached the industrial court to avoid crisis in the state as stipulated in the Trade Union Act.
“In line with the court judgment, the union has concluded arrangement to commence full operation with effect from 1st January, 2021. Considering the incessant harassment and intimidation we have experienced in the field perpetuated by the purported Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union, we request for protection by the security agents to avoid the denial of our rights”, TOAN stated.
The TOAN Chairman disclosed that court granted them damages to the tune of N10.2 million which must be paid within 30 days of the judgment or it would accumulate interest of 10% per annum.