TIMARIV Dismisses 40 Officials …Enforces Ban On Keke, Illegal Markets

Over 40 officials of the Rivers State Traffic Management Agency established about two years ago by the Rivers State government have been dismissed for their alleged involvement in bribery and corruption.

The Controller-General  of the agency, Mr Nelson Jaja who disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday also said that the agency has punished many others for  various acts of misconduct.

Mr Jaja said that the agency is noted for its zero tolerance for corruption, stressing that it beholves on members of the public to report any TIMARIVA officials who demands bribe from the public.

The Controller-General also announced that the agency would hence forth impound any commercial vehicle that is not painted with the state colour.

Mr Jaja who disclosed this at the news briefing in Port Harcourt, said that any commercial vehicle not painted with the state colour will no longer be allowed to pick passengers any where in the state.

He stressed the need for church, schools, supermarkets and  banks to ensure that their activities do not result in traffic congestion in the city and noted that to ensure the enforcement of this, the agency has scheduled a meeting with stakeholders in the traffic sector of the state.

He also warned that motorists who parked their vehicles on pedestrian walk ways risk being arrested by the agency.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV) is to enlist the support of the security agencies particularly the military to clamp down on Tricycle operators in parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The Conptroller General of the agency, Mr Nelson Jaja who disclosed this at a news briefing yesterday said that TIMARIV was soon to commence operation to flush out all illegal trading posts in Port Harcourt City and environs.

Mr Jaja said that the operation which would commence Thursday June 9, 2011 was meant to sanitize Port Harcourt City of all illegal markets and illegal motor parks which were not only become eyesore, but constituted obstruction to the free flow of traffic in the city.

According to him, areas to be affected by the operation are Rumuola and Rumuokoro junctions, creek Road, Mile III and Mile I markets and the Port Harcourt flyover parks.

Meanwhile, Mr Jaja said the agency has impounded 507 vehicles for violating traffic offences.

He disclosed that the agency had also obtained a court order to auction 41 vehicles earlier impounded by the agency.

Mr Jaja said that those whose vehicles are still being held by the agency would pay the prescribed fees before  they could be released.

The TIMARIV controller general who blamed the high traffic rate in the city on the activities of illegal siren users assisted by armed personnel, said that TIMARIV would no longer fold its hands and watch people take the laws into their hands.

According to him, the agency was now out to ensure that those who violate traffic laws were punished in accordance with the law.

Security men arresting students of Plateau State Polytechnic and College of Education who are protesting over strike by their lecturers for the past eight months in Jos, yesterday