African taxi worker admits tension with Irish drivers

AN African-born man conceded yesterday there was a continuing “tension” between Irish and some foreign drivers within Cork’s taxi ranks.

Victor Chikezie, who is black, said he had a right to drive a taxi just like anybody else. “I’m in Ireland eight-and-a-half years, but I lost my job one-and-a-half years ago. I’m driving a taxi for the past few months.

“I’m not intimidated. I follow all the rules. Some of the taxi drivers are good towards me but most are not.

“They jump on you for any mistake.”

He was responding to remarks reported in yesterdays Irish Examiner by the head of Cork’s Taximen’s Association.

Derry Coughlan, the chairman of the association, acknowledged the group did not have any black members as “they are too new to our shores”.

Earlier this week another black driver, Lama Niankone, crossed a picket line in Cork during a national taxi strike.

Mr Niankone said he had approached Mr Coughlan’s association two years ago and was refused permission on the grounds that it was for Irish drivers only. However, the association said a number of its drivers are foreign-born.

This view was echoed yesterday by Mr Chikezie while he was working at the rank at Kent Station. He revealed there was an element of suspicion aimed at black taxi drivers entering the profession here.

He dismissed Mr Coughlan’s comments that some black drivers did not know the routes, or gave an unfair deal on fares. “It’s not like that. We are given a licence by the Government just like any other driver. We charge the same fares and obey the same rules as other drivers,” he said.

During the conversation, another Irish taxi driver approached the car and said forcefully through the open window: “It’s us you should be talking to,” a comment clearly aimed at this reporter.

Mr Chikeze acknowledged there was a tension between Irish and other foreign drivers. He had never approached the Cork Taximen’s Association about joining it as he knew he would be refused.

“I never thought of joining. I was talking to another man who applied to join, but he was refused promptly so I never tried,” he said.

Speaking in Cork on Monday, Labour Affairs Minister Billy Kelleher said any person who wished to join a representative trade union should be allowed to do so.

“I understand that taxi drivers are under pressure, but anyone living legally in this country and who is working here legally should be entitled to membership of a trade union or association,” the minister had said.