TIMA-RIV Dismisses 30 Officers Over Extortion

The Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMARIV), says over 30 officers have been dismissed by the authority over extortion of money from motorists, while one is in police cell at Olu Obasanjo Police Station, Port Harcourt.

The Deputy Controller-General of TIMARIV, Mr Confidence Eke disclosed this at an interactive session between the police, TIMARIV and the Federal  Road Safety Corps (FRSC), organised by Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Port Harcourt Area Command at the Police Officers Mess, Old GRA, Port Harcourt last Monday.

He said the authority had zero tolerance for corrupt officers, saying bad eggs would be shown the way out after thorough investigations.

According to him, there are no touts in TIMARIV, and hinted that the Intelligent Unit of the agency with tip-off would continue to apprehend culprits to face the full wrath of the law, as to serve as deterrent to others.

Mr Eke said fines paid by motorists arrested for traffic offences were fixed by the law, while they only enforce it as enshrined in the Rivers State Traffic Law. He called on the public to report any erring member of the authority, adding that TIMARIV would not fold its hands for lawless people to take the laws into their lands by disobeying traffic rules and regulations.

The Deputy controller-General disclosed that over 500 Keke-Napep have been apprehended and kept at the vehicle inspection office (VIO) along Moscow Road.

Mr Eke reiterated that they would not allow any vehicle that narrow the road, as such person would be arrested, adding that in case of vehicle breakdown, motorist should display caution sign or push car out of the road to allow free-flow of traffic.

He noted that all complain would be objectively looked into with passion, calling on the public to use the following numbers in case of any problem. 0803668838, 08094545960 and 08095674577, assuring that the Authority would continue to carry out its duties within the ambit of the law and called for public co-operation.

Collins Barasimeye