By Kelechi Ugo.
What could have lead to total clampdown of economic activities in Imo State was on Wednesday 14th August,2024 averted by the State Commissioner for Transport,Hon. Dr. Chika Benson Abazu,Imo State Commissioner of Police,CP Aboki Danjuma and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Security Adviser as they quickly addressed protesting members of the National Union of Haulage Drivers who blocked every bye-pass and the ever busy PortHarCourt Road, Owerri for at least 48 hours.
Recall that the truck drivers since on Monday drove their long vehicles to strategic junctions leading to PH Road, Everyday Supermarket, Teachers House and other junctions where they left their vehicles blocking all the access roads, demanding immediate release of vehicles belonging to their members that were impounded by the Special Adviser to Governor on Illegal Motor Park,Hon. Frank Onwumere.
Interestingly, the haulage drivers were granted pardon and their vehicles freed at Frank Onwumere’s Heroes Square where owners of impounded vehicles pay through their “nose”just to regain their property.
Also recall that one Mr. Innocent Onyenanu,a bus Imo driver was allegedly beaten to coma on Tuesday 13th August,2024 by Frank’s boys as he is currently undertaking treatment at Umezuruike Hospital, Owerri.
Interacting with the State Commissioner, Ministry of Transport,Hon. Abazu told journalists that his Ministry has underway a road-map diagram that would flush out touts from Imo State transport sector.
He promised to inject innovations that would effect total transformation of the Ministry.
According to him,”we should do this work with human face. Very soon, everything will work based on my blueprints for my people. And I have a cordial relationship with other government appointees in terms of working in synergy to achieve good policies of the present 3R Government in Imo State led by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma’.
However,Hon. Frank Onwumere insisted that his actions are inline with his appointment terms of reference,querying why some motorists chose to disobey traffic laws.
Although,he disclosed that his office can never be found doing “back yard” business as every offender of traffic law pays fine into Imo State Government Single Treasury Account.
