Motorcycle and Keke operators have accused office of the Delta State Traffic Management Agency of alleged high-handedness, extortion and intimidation in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operators alleged that, DESTMA officials has become a torn and their tormenting agency in Ughelli as they are now at the mercy of God.
Narrating his ordeal to newsmen at Otovwodo community, Abubakar Abdul alleged that he has been extorted on several occasions at the market.
“Without knowing my offence, I have been held several times and made to part with money even without getting to their office.
“They don’t have a standard amount of money, they can tell you to pay N20,000 to N50,000 and if you say you do not have money they will collect your bag and empty it to collect the money inside.
“When they held me, I paid N10,000 at the first time, I paid another N9,500 and the third time, I paid N12,500 for not putting on helmet.
“DESTMA officials would not allow Okada or Keke riders to carry or drop passengers before they are arrested for wrong parking and it is not fair.
“People must come to the market and to get to the market, they either board a Keke or Okada but because of the activities these set of persons in uniform, we are suffering.
“We don’t know where to park again in the market as some of these DESTMA officials that are not well dressed will come and seized our bike that we did not park well.
“I want the state government to call them to order because we are suffering, despite the fact that construction is going on at Otovwodo, they will arrest us for riding on wrong lane.”
A female Keke rider who gave her name as Loveth, disclosed that even if out of you mind,you give them money,they tell you that what you gave is too small as if they gave you money to keep for them.
“Their harassment is becoming unbearable in Ughelli, they do harass women in the market as if that is part of their job. I want the government to retrain them especially those in Ughelli for them to know that ethics of their job.
Another Keke rider Mr Henry, who spoke to the Pointer alleged that DESTMA officials at Otovwodo market extorted him N5,500 for unknown reason.
According to him, “On that faithful day, I parked my Keke and before I knew it three of them came and took my key and ride my keke away and before getting to their office, they asked me to give them money and I said I am with N1,500 only and because they are with my key, one of them opened my pigeon hole and collected the sum of N4,000 and the N1,500 that was with me.
“They should be cautioned by the relevant authorities because they are making transportation difficult in Ughelli.
Pastor Emmanuel Olomu who was a victim, held that he was let go after he paid N10,000 because of helmet disclosed that he was going for church service at Olomoro in Isoko and held him for not putting on helmet.
He said,”I have to leave for the church and after I returned, I went to their office to claim my bike with N10,000. On of the most painful aspect that their Boss in the office is worst than the boys because of the commission he is getting.”
When contacted, the Ughelli North Director, Mr Pius Unukopia said, “I am in Asaba right now, let’s talk when I return as I will call you to my office.” And as the time of this report, he did not call back.
