Several angry trailer drivers yesterday, blockaded the ever-busy Owerri – Port Harcourt Road, over alleged “harassment, intimidation and seizure of their trucks by alleged uniformed security personnel and government actors”.

The actions of the drivers not only created a chaotic atmosphere but also disrupted the free flow of traffic in Owerri municipality.

Explaining the remote cause of their action, one of the truck drivers said: “We started this action Tuesday night and continued till now (yesterday).

“Some men in uniform demanded money from one of us and his inability or unwillingness to cooperate with them, led to his being brutally manhandled. His truck was also destroyed partially.

“This report was eventually transmitted to other members of the Trailer Drivers Association. What is playing out now in Owerri, stemmed from the ugly brutalization of a truck driver.

“We are determined to remain where we are now until our demands are met.”

NO SACRED COWS IN UZODIMMA’S GOVERNMENT

Reacting to the incident in a statement, Imo State Governor’s Special Adviser on Public Communication, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, linked it to “alleged overzealousness by some individuals purporting to work for officials of Imo State Government or putting themselves forward as surrogates of any sort.”

He said: “While It is important to encourage motorists to abide by extant traffic codes and only use designated parks for their operations, it is important to inform every Imolite that the Governor has not empowered anyone to harass commercial motorists in the guise of enforcing traffic rules.

“Designated officials are expected to uphold the highest standards and professionalism in executing their functions.

“Also, all fines and levies for defaulting motorists are expected to be paid, only, to designated government TSA accounts. Any official asking for payment in cash or through private account numbers or commercial POS is shortchanging the government.”

CALL PASTOR FRANK ONWUMERE

In his statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, not only agreed with Onwuasoanya but also mentioned the government appointee responsible for the impasse.

Nwaogwugwu said: “Why ‘Pastor’ Frank Onwumere must be called to order before it’s too late.

“The recent activities of ‘Pastor’ Frank Onwumere, the Special Adviser on Illegal Parks, have become increasingly worrisome and becoming out of hand that if he is not stopped or called to order, he will cause a great calamity for the state government and constitute a serious image problem.

“Furthermore, Frank Onwumere and his team are impersonating government agencies like ENTRACO, carrying out nefarious activities in their name.

“A recent case involving trailer drivers is a prime example. They impounded a trailer at Concord Junction by Port Harcourt road, claiming to be ENTRACO, and took it to Ndubuisi Kanu Square (formerly Hero Square). However, ENTRACO’s office is at Aba Road, not Hero Square.

“It is public knowledge that since the construction of the flyover at Control Post began, some routes leading to the construction site were temporarily blocked, and motorists were advised to use alternate routes.

“Frank Onwumere’s team boasted that they would not release the trailer, despite calls from important people in the state. The trailer drivers stormed out of their office and started protesting, blocking the roads.

“I have written this to emphasize that Frank Onwumere is acting on his own and not according to the terms of reference of his appointment as Special Adviser on Illegal Parks. Soon enough, the long arms of the law will catch up with him.

“As an Imolite who feels the brunt of Frank Onwumere’s atrocities on innocent Imo road users and an appointee of the governor, I must defend the Governor’s integrity. I confirm that the Governor did not send Frank Onwumere to unleash terror on innocent citizens.”

Meanwhile, Imo State Police Command’s image maker, Mr. Henry Okoye, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP, Aboki Danjuma, has stepped into the matter.

According to Mr. Okoye, the CP was joined in the peace mission by the Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Transport, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, and the Principal Chief Security Officer to the Governor.

He explained that the team decided to “wade into the matter, to avoid breach of public peace”.

Okoye said: “The CP addressed members of the National Union of Haulage Drivers, protesting along Port-Harcort Road, Owerri

“The situation is under control, frantic efforts are underway to clear the traffic congestion.” (Vanguard)

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