THE protracted crisis rocking the amalgamated tricycle union operators in Anambra State, may have climaxed, following the removal of three principal officer, by members of the Incorporated Board of Trustees of the union over alleged embezzlement of their funds to the tune of N2.45 million.
Consequently, the traditional ruler of Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, Igwe Chidubem Iweka has waded into the matter with a view to bringing lasting solution to the crisis and reconciling the two factions.
KKAWAAPU is the amalgamation of operators of six tricycle unions in the state and by extension, the South-East zone. The union amalgamated included Keke Napep Owners/Operators Welfare Association of Anambra State (KNOOWAS), Keke Drivers Association of Anambra State, (KEDAAS), Autobike Owners Welfare Association Nigeria (AOWAN), All Tricycles Owners/Operators Dealers of Anambra state (ATOODAS), All Tricycles Transporters Association Anambra State, (ATTAAS) and Public Tricycle Owners/Operators Association of South East (PUTOASE),
Chairman, BoT of KKAWAAPU, Dr. Jimmy Okonkwo and other members of the trustees had sacked the state chairman of KKAWAAPU, Anthony Ogalonye and replaced him with his deputy, Chief Pat Ezenwa; secretary, Linus Ufoh and replaced him with his assistant, Innocent Obagha and the Welfare Officer, Tochukwu Anyaoku who is yet to be replaced.
But following an alleged resistance from the sacked three principal officers, the trustees headed to an Onitsha High Court, a few months and obtained an order of the court restraining them from recei+ving any money and/or proceeds from the sale of the union tickets, toll and other levies for and on behalf of the union, except through and/or from the financial secretary and treasurer, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
However, despite the court order, the three principal officers have allegedly continued to operate as officers, a situation which led to some resistance until the intervention of Igwe Iweka.
and then