Ebonyi, Cross River Govts Warn Against Extortion

The Ebonyi State governor, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru yesterday said that he would not hesitate to sanction community leaders, town union executives and influential leaders of different Ebonyi unions whom the state government has entrusted with the responsibility of identifying some of the beneficiaries of the N2 million empowerment grants but have now resorted to extorting the money leaving small percentages to the beneficiaries.

A statement signed by the director general, Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, Dr Stephen Odo said that some of the union leaders who indulge in the act reside in Abuja, Lagos, Aba, Onitsha and other major cities of the country.

He maintained that the state governor frowns at the development and regards it as an act of intimidation, harassment, fraud and sabotage of the well-intended government’s economic policy adding that the action must be met with strict government sanction on anyone found culpable.

Similarly, the Cross River State government has warned the leadership of the state branch of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), to desist forthwith from extorting money from mini-bus drivers in the guise of welfare dues or be ready to contend with the wrath of the state government.

The commissioner for Transportation, Pastor Ekpeyong Cobham, issued the warning in Càlabar on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting of actors in the transport sector.

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Reading position-paper of the state government during a meeting with stakeholders in the sector, Ekpeyong said, “Sequel to our meeting held on November 3, 2023 at my instance to address pertinent issues in the transportation sub-sector, the following topics made the agenda of the day which include, ticketing, road signage, proliferation of association and others.

“The most combustive issue which seem to constipate the system most is the issue of drivers’ welfare, ticket and other related matters.”

While warning RTEAN on the consequences that is likely to be associated with extorting money from mini-bus drivers, the commissioner said that Sections (F) and (G) of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria constitution is succinct, clear and at variance with ongoing activities of the union’s leadership.