The
manger further stated that Ika has seven buses out of which four were
withdrawn. He however said that by the end of January, the buses will be
returned to their normal routes. He stated that the Delta Line metro buses
popularly called ‘Uduaghan Bus’ have drastically reduced transportation fare in
Ika land since inception and gave instances with the Ekuku-Agbor route which
according to him was initially N200 with Okada but have now reduced to N100 the
and Abavo route which was N100 before but now cost only N50.
Comrade
Ngbeken also alleged that some passengers in Ime-Obi (Agbor-Obi) route
oftentimes refused to pay their transportation fare whenever they board the
buses plying the Ime-Obi road, “They always beat up our drivers whenever they
are asked to pay, saying that the transport fare is too costly, some of them
usually run into the Central Hospital, Agbor if they are asked to pay transport
fare”. He further stated that because of the high cost of fuel, the
transportation fare have been slightly increased from N30 to N50 for Ime-Obi
axis
The
manager thanked Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his accomplishments in the transportation
sector with the provision of many buses for Delta Line Company which has
ameliorated the difficulties faced by travelers and commuters in the State. He
however requested that more vehicles be provided to the company by the state
government so that more areas will be covered.
In an
interview with some of the passengers at Mobil Petrol Station, Mr. Harrison
Ebie said he has been boarding Delta Line buses since inception until they were
withdraw but denounced in strong terms the allegation of the Delta Line
Manager, saying that the Drivers and conductors usually collect transport fares
from commuters before embarking on any journey. On his part, Mr. Paul Ngbakor
told Ika Weekly that withdrawing the buses was a slight on the people of
Ime-obi by the Delta Line management. He said that the action was political,
wondering that why only Ime-Obi buses were withdrawn leaving that of Ekuku
Agbor, Owa Oyibu, Umunede, Abavo etc are still plying their normal routes.
According to Mr. Ngbakor the action is too provocative and could result to
violence.”
At
Ime-Obi some of the youths interviewed who pleaded anonymity threatened that if
by 15th January 2010 (Friday), the buses are not returned, they will
disrupt the activities of Delta Line both at Uromi Junction and other places in
Ika land. One of them who told Ika Weekly that he is an unemployed
graduate, said he will mobilize youths from different areas in Imer-Obi for the
action. “Enough of this attack on our people by faceless politicians in Ika
land who are struggling for supremacy, we to our the people.”
Also
speaking to Ika Weekly, an elderly man Mr. Stephen Egboh said that
withdrawing the buses has really affected him due to his preference for the
buses as a result of his age. Mr. Egboh together with his friends, Mr. Onyeka
Ijegbulem and Mr. Nkenchor Okobia appealed
to those in—charge to release the buses back to the Ime-Obi route to
avoid the impending protest which may result to violence. At the market in
Ime-obi close to Alisimie road junction, Mrs. Grace Momah a trader said since
the withdrawal, transport fare has been increased by motor-cycle riders, she
appealed to the authorities concerned to help them the buses back on the route.
Also, another trader at the market, Mrs. Ijeoma Eluebo pleaded with those
in-charge of the transport company to return back the buses to stop the protest
march which is being planned by the youths in the community.
On
enquiry at DEIN of Agbor’s palace, some of the palace chiefs told Ika Weekly
that they will look into the issue and appealed to the youth to shelve
their planned protest so that peace will reign.
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