C’ River commuters lament harassment of FRSC, VIO, others
Commercial vehicle operators and some private car owners have deserted the only federal highway in Calabar because of what they described as the constant harassment and check by Federal Road Safety (FRSC) officials and staff of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
Some of the drivers who were arrested for not having their vehicle particulars were tried summarily at the road side mobile courts and sentence to various fine ranging from N2, 000 to N10, 000 or more depending on the offence.
However, others were sentence to prison without option of fine. Our correspondent who monitored one of the sessions in Calabar, cross river state capital observed that the vehicle owners who have money on them pay the fine while others who could not were taken to prison and their vehicle impounded and taken to FRSC and VIO offices in Calabar.
Consequently, at the time of filling this report, two mobile courts were conspicuously seen, one at Zoo Garden along Mary Slessor and the other at Mutalla Mohammed Highway given out judgment. Though efforts to get the names of the Judges failed but officials of FRSC and VIO were seen given evidences on the matters before the courts.
Over fifty vehicles are in the custody of the two agencies even as over twenty traffic offenders have either been jailed or pay fine to rescued themselves. In a chart with our correspondent, a driver who described himself as Okon Sunday narrated why he was arrested saying he had his vehicle particulars complete but his spare tyre was had issue and he could not fixe it immediately because of the economy.
At various roads visited, frustrated passengers were seen waiting endlessly for vehicles to take them to their destination but none was found. Chief Asukwo Nyong who said he was to travel to Odukpani could not see vehicle and pleaded with the government agencies not to inflict more problem on the people.
When this medium sorts the opinion of the agencies, none was willing to comment on the issue but a staff of VIO who pleaded for anonymity said they are doing their official duties. He said that VIO was working in the ambit of the law and anybody arrested will be prosecuted.
