I am using this opportunity to draw the attention of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State to what is described as duplicity of duties as well unbearable taxation to generate income at all means which eventually does not get to the State Purse.The Traffic Compliance and enforcement Agency was established by previous administration to support the effort of FRSC, VIO, Traffic police in the area of traffic related offence- Unauthorised parking, over speeding, one way driving e.t.c
Since the agency commenced operation, it has helped to cushion the effect of traffic problems within the state and out boundaries. One major Challenge spotted about the agency is lack of necessary training. They have started misbehaving, making money by all means for take home as against the interest of the Government who needs more of tax payers’ money to further provide I
nfrastrucres which it had invested heavily since the start of the administration.
A man who preferred anonymity was driving along Asero to link the new dualised Abiola way road beside farmers’ house and was stopped by the officers of trace accused of driving on the pedestrian road. The man in question asked the members of trace if the Government had built a pedestrian bridge on the road because he could still not understand their claim. In the process of questioning, the front and back plate was removed, immediately, the head in charge of traffic passage on the road ask the officer to take available bike to deposit the plate at their Odeda office. The man in question put a call to the Corps commandant and the Public relation officer on the issue. He was referred to Com. Odunlami, the head of Odeda office to return the plate. To cut the story short, the offence written on the plate was-The driver of this vehicle is stubborn. Since when did stubbornness turned offence in Trace law? One of the trace officers who spoke to our correspondent said, they needed money to take home and they won’t hesitate to challenge people who are not conscious of their right for any silly mistake.
There are various degrees of various activities of Trace men which we had witnessed that have no value as well as basis.
More importantly here is Parking Controllers who have just been licensed by the Ogun State Government to collect money for parking of cars as well as clamping and towing of vehicles parked at location believed not to have followed parking rules. But surprising here is all these still falls within the work of Trace which was established by law by State House of Assembly.
Since the commencement of the parking managers, they have launched serious attack on innocent citizen of Ogun State just to generate money going directly to their account on whatever agreement it had with the Government. From our investigation, we found out that this peoples target is on luxurious cars and jeeps while any rickety car parked at any location not authorised will be over looked. Also, the men in the blue uniform looks for location near market and patronised area where they carry out their business. They work with road side cloth and market seller who calls them once any car parks in front of their market. I now wonder why the Government decided to establish two agencies carrying out the same functions. We have lot of people selling on the road not authorised since they have no shop. Why don’t government start an agency that arrest people who sell their goods at places not authorised unlike allowing duplicity of duties?
If the men of trace are not adequately staffed, the government should create jobs with the aim of making money and relieve the parking agent their jobs. Their men are at liberty to join trace or find other jobs. I believe four thousand naira for offence of parking wrongly is too much in a civil service state which economy is sleepy awaiting investors. Government should looked into all these and act accordingly.
Recently, a parking controller clamped a Lexus jeep at Enugada lafenwa area belonging to a Special marshal of the road safety corps member who preferred anonymity. All effort toward serious dialogue proved abortive not considering the espirit de corp which should have been taken into consideration .i still call on the Government to intervene and return the money for the owner of this jeep because there will be more to it in case of refusal.
One of the staff of the parking controller said they prefer when they apprehend an offender and he begs them with an amount, that solves the whole issue but once it get to their office, he or she has to pay the necessary fine.
With this act, would government money be complete? I recommend an overhaul in the activities of the trace and parking controller without delay because Ogun People has more to tell as far as these men are concerned.