Commercial drivers operating within the mile three Rumuji-Ibaa Obelle -Ndele-Elele Alimini axis have cried out over the alleged forceful extortion by the task force set up by the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Some of the drivers who spoke to theportcitynews said aside from the one hundred to five hundred naira being collected by the council’s taskforce as daily tickets, they are also being subjected to inhumane treatments.
According to them, the attitude of the taskforce chasing them while on the wheel and dragging their car steering has made so many drivers lose control of their vehicles which has caused several accidents on the road.
They added that if the situation is not checked that drivers operating that axis will be forced to embark on strike.
On his part, Senior Special Adviser on Revenue Matters to the Emohua local government council, STEVE ONU, said the council only set up a committee to work with the National Union of Road Transport Workers at the parks for the collection of one hundred naira daily ticket, adding that no taskforce was instituted.
Steve Onu urged the commercial drivers to report anyone found parading himself as the taskforce of Emohua council for arrest and prosecution.
Meanwhile, commercial drivers plying the Ahoada Elele axis of Rivers state have lamented the continuous extortion of one hundred naira along the road by security officers at every checkpoint.
Some of the drivers who spoke to our reporter Tina Stephen expressed serious concerns that the extortion is affecting their daily income, as driving is their only source of livelihood.
According to them, refusal to pay the one hundred naira at any checkpoint attracts unnecessary delay and harassment by the officers, they added that sometimes the police officers threaten them with their rifle when they refuse to pay.
They appealed to the state government to intervene urgently and put a stop to the unwarranted extortion by the security officers.
