Motorists operating in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State have cried out over what they called, “Illegal extortion” by members of Task Force on Road Decongestion.
The members of the Task Force dress in sky-blue T-Shirt. A motorist, one Mr. Lucky Igwe while narrating his ordered told this publication, said that the Task Force which operates with a vehicle registration No. Rivers: DBU 65AA jumped into his car parked along Bonny Street, in the Port Harcourt main township.
Speaking further, Mr. Igwe alleged that his car was driven away by a member of the Task Force to the premises of the Rivers Marine Transport Company, Marine Base, and that on his arrival he met one Miss Iyeneomi who compelled him to pay the sum of forty-five thousand naira (N45,000). According to him after much pleading, he was asked to pay nine thousand naira (N9,000) which he later did and his car was released to him.
Another victim, Mr. Ransom Tammy alleged that when his vehicle was seized by the Task Force; he was directed to pay a total sum of fifty thousand naira which according to him was splited before him to a cashier for the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, another cashier for Rivers State Ministry of Transport and the Head of the Task Force, one Mr. Pedro. According to him, when he inquired, it was gathered that there are agents working with the consents of the Mayor of PHALGA, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo and the Commissioner in charge of the Rivers State Ministry of Transport, Hon. George Tolofari.
Investigations by The Newswriter revealed that several unsuspecting motorists had fell prey into the hands of the Task Force and were made to pay through their nose.
Several impounded vehicles are parked at the premises of the State Marine Transport Company.
A member of the Task Force who pleaded for anonymity said that the money (fine) collected from Motorists were usually sent in parts to the Mayor, PHALGA and the Commissioner of Transport. The Task Force officer boasted that no matter what members of the public would feel about their operations, they would never be disbanded, adding that the authorities are very much aware of their operations and would not yield to any call for their disbandment.
All efforts to contact the Commissioner of Transport proved abortive. However, an official of the Ministry who pleaded for anonymity denied the allegation and urged members of the public to report any suspicious move to the police.
At the Port Harcourt City Council, the aides to the Mayor also denied the allegation. The leader of the Task Force, Mr. Pedro was not reachable as at the time of going to the press.
Meanwhile, a top official of the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV) who spoke in condition of anonymity told this weekly that the Rivers State Traffic Law No. 6 of 2009 empowers only the TIMARIV to impound vehicles and prosecute offenders in the state.
He stressed that the said Task Force is not authorized by Law to operate and impound vehicles.
He wondered why such illegal groups will be allowed to continue operations, adding that the time has come for the police and other relevant authorities to clamp down on them. ###
