Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has warned that the full arm of the law will be unleashed on individuals who go against Government’s directive on extorting of all forms of levies on transporters by touts.
Dr Otti gave the warning while addressing some group of Drivers plying from Aba to Umuahia at the Osisioma Park on their peaceful protest to Government House, Umuahia against the continuous extortion of money from them, stressed that Govt has zero tolerance for any form of corruption and extortion on motorists and Abians.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu assured that, having heard their complaints, Govt will take immediate action to address the ugly situation confronting them and expressed anger over the activities of one Tochi Ephraim who is alleged to have continued the collection of illegal levies from motorists at the Osisioma Park in flagrant disregard to Government order.
He commended the Drivers for carrying out their protests in a peaceful manner despite obvious provocations and urged them to continue to conduct themselves as law abiding citizens of the State as Govt will ensure that people are free to go about their businesses free of molestation.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport, Comrade Sunny Onwuma described the protests and reactions of the drivers as being in order.
He, however, assured the Governor, Dr Alex Otti having just launched the Operation Crush will tackle the problem as nobody or group is bigger than the State.
In his speech earlier, the leader of the delegation and PRO of the Drivers Union Association, Osisioma Park, Mr Henry Chima appealed to Govt to come to their aid and put an end to the flagrant flaunting of orders of Government on collection of illegal levies from them by one Tochi Ephraim and commended the Dr Alex Otti’s led administration for the revolution and positive change currently going on in the State
Top Govt Officials, Leaders of Drivers Unions in the State were present during the protest visit.
