REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia state government says it has introduced a toll-free public complaint system following the enforcement of restrictions on the operations of commercial motorcycle operators in Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced this while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said that the essence of the toll line was to enable residents to report cases of misconduct, extortion, abuse and other infractions allegedly committed by security agencies and task force personnel involved in the enforcement exercise.
According to the Commissioner, the penalty for violating the restrictions remains ₦20,000, in line with the government’s earlier advisory and explained that impounded motorcycles would only be released after the owners had fulfilled all statutory requirements relating to registration, documentation and verification.
On infrastructure development, the commissioner said that the Ministry of Works had intensified road construction and maintenance activities across the state.
Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah, described the recent abduction of two children in Umuosu Nsulu as a case of child trafficking and assured residents that concerted efforts were underway to secure their release.
