Tension is high in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, following an alleged assault on the Chairman of the Ogor Motor Park, Nicholas Evwienure, by his Otovwodo counterpart, Oghenegueke Ugbarugba.
The incident, according to Evwienure, occurred after a meeting at the Ughelli North Local Government Council Secretariat, amid longstanding disagreements between the two motor parks over their operational boundaries.
Evwienure alleged that Ugbarugba attacked and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries for which he is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
He linked the alleged assault to disagreements over the operational boundaries of the two branches of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and appealed to the Delta State government and Ughelli North Local Government Council to urgently intervene to prevent the matter from escalating into a wider crisis.
The two motor parks have, over the years, experienced disputes reportedly connected to their areas of operation in Ughelli.
However, Ugbarugba, while reacting to the allegation, denied that there was any conflict between the two groups and said disagreements involving transport unions should be addressed through established union structures.
Ugbarugba also denied attacking Evwienure, saying: “Today, I cannot lay my hands on my senior. He is my senior and I acknowledge that. I cannot lay my hands on him.
“I know what he is doing, he wants it to look as if I am the one who is after his life. I am not a killer. I am a gentleman, a businessman, a humanist and a politician. I have no interest in harming anyone.”
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According to him, the operational boundaries between Otovwodo and Ogor motor parks were established decades ago by community elders and union leaders.
He explained that the ongoing construction of the Otovwodo flyover by Julius Berger has forced the Otovwodo union to temporarily relocate some of its loading points, creating fresh friction over areas where the displaced operators could work.
Ugbarugba, who is also an Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Community Development, alleged that Evwienure and his team subsequently attempted to operate within areas traditionally designated to Otovwodo Motor Park, particularly around the Kilimanjaro Eatery axis.
He urged members of the public to disregard reports suggesting that there was an ongoing conflict between the two motor parks, insisting that the matter had already been resolved through the intervention of union leaders and local government authorities.
