From Princely Onyenwe
Call has gone to Governor Uzodinma to intervene swiftly to address lingering crises bedevilling the Imo ENTRACO since the relocation of Engr Chukwu as General Manager GM.
It has been allegedly reported that Imo Commissioner For Transport, Anunobi, ISTMA Boss Uche are core plotters of this drama as plots to indict ENTRACO GM, Chukwu is now exposed through this medium.
In what seems to be a calculated attempt to maligned the image and possibly indict the newly appointed General Manager, Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, by the Imo Commissioner for Transport Rex Anunobi Sokom, and his self appointed Transport Officer in the Ministry one Frank Uche is exposed.
The alleged plot is targetted at the activities of daily enforcement of non movement of heavy duty vehicles in the municipality while calling calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma to intervene.
9News Nigeria gathered that the Commissioner for Transport Rex Anunobi Sokom through one Frank Uche and his Cronies milked the state dried by illegally establishment of quasi task force team which he tagged “ISTMA” to rip off the work of ENTRACO for several years before Governor Uzodinma graciously returned powers to the Commission to checkmate the prohibitions of movement of heavy duty vehicles within the day time and other statutory responsibility in Owerri municipality Council Area of Imo State.
In addition, there is an alleged sponsored Publications against the new ENTRACO Boss, Engr. Francis Chukwu, from his purported detractors in the Ministry of Transport who have accused him of trumped up charges.
The Publication reads in part, “barely one month after Engr. Francis Chukwu was swapped from his earlier duty post as the General Manager of Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, to become the General Manager of Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, fresh trouble is currently brewing in his new office as plans by motorists to embark upon all “mother” of protest over incessant extortions, intimidations and indiscriminate impoundment of vehicles by the State owned Agency have been uncovered”
“It would be recalled that Engr. Francis Chukwu was relieved of his duty as the OCDA after series of media reports demanding for his sack earlier last month”.
At an on-the-spot visit to ENTRACO Office located along the busy Aba Road, Owerri, Friday 16th June, 2023, 9News Nigeria (Owerri) gathered that the Government Agency’s Taskforce always mount man-hunt against motorists especially truck drivers at the Nigeria Army Check-Point infront of the ENTRACO Office which always aide them to trap their victims easily”.
“However, some of the drivers of the impounded heavy duty trucks spotted by our correspondent at the front gate of ENTRACO were already coming together so as to take their sufferings to Imo Government House, Owerri querying the functions of the Agency”.
Our correspondent also spotted a representative of International Brewery (name withheld) who brought his company’s waiver granted to her by the State Ministry of Transport after payment via Imo State Single Treasury Account.
“According to him,”our vehicle was impounded at Irete by the ENTRACO taskforce and the driver was asked to show his waiver which he did, but the taskforce team insisted on intercepting our truck”.
“Now, I have presented the receipt of the waiver to them, but they said that the new order from the current GM is that we must pay for the waiver again.
“We have paid #1,500,000 into TSA for the waiver. And we are wondering why we should pay again? Imo Governor should please look into this before it’s late”.
The Publication also quoted that “one of the victims who gave his name as Mr. Benjamin Eyong narrated how he was asked to pay #300,000 by the Agency.
“They said 200k is for waiver, while 100k is for clearance.
And I have already paid #2000 for them not to deflect my tyre”.
“I’m coming from Calabar, Cross-River State. And I work with VickWall Company. I have spent six days here in the hands of this ENTRACO people.
This is not obtainable in my own state”,he cried out.
Another person, Mr.Henry Chukwu, of 7-UP Brewery who also narrated his ordeal stated that he was apprehended by the taskforce at the Nigeria Army Check-Point infront of the ENTRACO Office and was also asked to pay #300,000 without giving him the State Single Treasury Account.
“After extensive bargaining, I was asked to bring cash of #200,000.
What is the meaning of these extortions, intimidations and indiscriminate impoundment of vehicles?
We want Governor Hope Uzodinma to quickly intervene before we stage a peaceful protest at Government House, Owerri soonest”, he stated.
The situation is aching while looking up to Imo state government who gave powers to ENTRACO management to as a matter of urgency invite both parties involved in this plot to resolve otherwise the state will be turned to be lawless.
At the time of this report, all efforts by 9News Nigeria (Owerri) to reach Commissioner for Transport, Hon.Barr.Rex Anunobi (Sokom) and the ISTMA Boss, Franch Uche, proved abortive.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
