The name Eugene Eze Job is not one that is unfamiliar with the people of Abia, especially those who are conversant with the activities of transport unions in the state. Job was the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transporters Workers (NURTW) Abia State chapter before his removal a few days ago, he is also the chairman of SATOA a Tricycle operators union for close to 10 years now.
Mr. Job however is popular as a transport union leader for the wrong reasons as his activities are unbecoming. He disobeys government instructions, operates what could be called a parallel system against the government, and intimidates other Tricycle unions in Abia State.
I remember vividly when Dr. ACB Agbazuere Ph.D. was just made Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, ASATOA which is now SATOA was disbanded due to its anti-state activities.
It was disbanded for highhandedness, thuggery, intimidation, and other very ugly inhumane activities. But the state government later reversed their decision, with ASATOA changing its name to SATOA with the same leadership.
Eze Job always has his way of remaining in the system, he knows how to throw the money around, he knows how to intimidate people in power and he believes nobody can stop him not even the governor that was why you saw the rally he organized in Aba even after the government recently disbanded him again.
Eze Job does not allow any other tricycle union operates in Abia especially in Aba, he acts as though the state belongs to him and tells anyone that cares to go hell.
He refuses to attend government meetings where he is summoned, he refuses to obey government instructions and off course he has made so much money.
The actions and activities of Job in terms of revenue collection is depressing as an Abian, he respects no law or any constituted authority. He has made himself law as far as revenue collection is concerned to tricycle (Keke) operators in Abia. Mr. Job has continuously defiled the government’s instructions, for instance, the government of Abia state-authorized other tricycle operators’ unions in the state to collect revenue, Mr. Job, however, made sure the other groups do not operate, especially in Aba. He used his boys in the commercial city to ensure nobody or group has access to parks except him, this he has done in defiance of government orders.
The activities of Job is a classical example of what is described in the Hobbesian State were might is right and the law has no place in such a society, Mr. Job is indeed setting a dangerous precedent, a precedent that is indicative of the fact that one can defile government pronouncements and instructions without consequences to such actions.
Just recently, the Abia State Ministry of transport barred the payment of government revenues to individuals but to the government directly through e-platforms to help shove up revenue to enable the government work. Mr. Job, however in his usual manner of disobeying government orders, went ahead to keep collecting revenue from Keke riders in the state especially the commercial city of Aba, where he has created a haven for his operations. Mr. Job has done this without any regard to the government that issued the order.
He disregards any policy he feels uncomfortable with and many others are watching. If this menace is not stopped now, many others will also arise to challenge the government, and Abia our dear state might degenerate to Anarchy.
Thank God the state has decided to disband SATOA and also remove Job as chairman of NURTW in Abia State. Let some sanity return to the transport system in Abia State and also to government finances.
Emenike Iroegbu Writes From Umuasua
