… Alleges OSROTMA insists on Government’s fines being paid into Private firm’s bank***
The Committee of Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has expressed its shock that an Oyo State Government agency is issuing penalties and fines, and directing that such fines be paid, to a private firm’s bank.
The body’s grouse is actually a major part of its protest to the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, against the Chairman of Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OSRTMA), whom it said, issued them a disturbing fine of N850,000 and insisted they should be paid to a private firm, Reliable Auto Services.
Describing what they alleged as an ‘unruly behaviour’, the association wondered why a government agency would fine and direct that such money be paid into a private account, instead of the agency’s account or the State Government’s account.
In a letter written to the governor and signed by the COMTUA President, Comrade Adeyinka Aroyewun, the body with a strong maritime presence, also expressed its gratitude to the Executive Governor, for the timely removal of its member’s container which fell and blocked the road around Challenge in Ibadan, stressing that it was a further proof of Gov. Makinde’s administration’s promptness to resolve issues around safety of lives and properties.
The association regretted every embarrassment the accident which resulted in the abandonment of the container on the side of the road might have caused the government and the good people of Oyo state.
The body claimed it actually responded promptly to the accident by visiting the scene to ensure the safety of lives and property, as well as relevant agencies of government, particularly, the Police and FRSC; and paying equipment operators, including crane, Hiab loader and towing van, to remove the truck and container from the road.
“We could not completely evacuate the container due to equipment scarcity within the state.
The DPO of Felele Police Station and the Unit Commander of the FRSC, Toll Gate Unit, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, were professionals in their conduct by ensuring that lives and properties were properly protected.
“The container would not have stayed beyond the same day but for logistics challenges,” the association explained further.
It, therefore, pleaded with Governor, to consider the release of the said truck and container; which is currently in the custody of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority, adding that the association leadership has already suffered adequate humiliation.
According to COMTUA, the letter became necessary after approaching the agency which gave “a bill of Eight hundred and fifty Thousand Naira (N850,000), payable to a Zenith Bank Account Number 1016751601, whose beneficiary is RELIABLE AUTO SERVICES, instead of the Agency or State government account.”
The association expressed its concern; and indicated that in a whiff of disbelief, it immediately dispatched a delegation, led by the COMTUA President, to meet with the Chairman.
The letter reads: “Our purpose of the visit was to express our gratitude and solidarity to the government of Oyo State through the agency, plead for a waiver on the said fine and seek clarification on the account.
“We were (however) disturbed by the level of misrepresentation of your government, the chairman demonstrated.
“Apart from being unprofessional, he did not hide his complex towards LASTMA, when he realised we came from Lagos.
“This was noted without stress when he kept referring to the agency in every of his statement, comparing structures and operation mode instead of addressing the issue.
“We were humiliated in the presence of his female friends in the office.
“We were threatened to be beaten by hoodlums and he eventually abandoned our delegation to play Table Tennis within the complex.
“We were abandoned for several hours before we left the premises without achieving any meaningful results.
“He was extremely boastful and willing to take laws into his hands simply because he claim to report directly to the governor.
“He advised us to go to court and emphasised his influence on the judiciary.
“We do pray that you look into our appeal and also consider calling the concerned officer to order in the interest of the image of your administration.
“Such character does not fit the respect and popularity your administration commands,” the association further posited.
