Confusion As Oyo Transport Agency Demand Payment Of N850,000 Fine Into Private Account

There is palpable confusion among the ranks of truckers under the aegis of the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA) following the request by the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority that the truckers  pay a N850,000 fine into a private account number with details: Zenith Bank, account number 1016751601, and account name Reliable Auto Services.

In a letter dated 13th of April, 2023, which was addressed to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde and signed by the National President of COMTUA, Adeyinka Aroyewun, the truckers said that efforts to seek clarification on why the N850,000 fine should not be paid into an Oyo State Government account has been rebuffed by the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority, Dr.Akin Fagbemi.

According to the letter titled “Re: Lone Accident Involving Container Carrier Truck With Registration Number MUS 238 XN and container MSMU 7859355”, which was made available to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday, the truckers stated that, “We want to use this medium to congratulate your excellency on your well deserved success in the just concluded election. This does not come as a surprise to us because it is deserving.

“Our association is a collaboration of Transport unions and associations in the Nigerian maritime industry. We are recognised by the Federal government, and this has earned us membership of several committees set up by government like the Presidential Task Team set up by the Presidency through the office of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, to resolve the Apapa gridlock is one of such.

“We want to express the gratitude of our association to your excellency on the removal of our member’s container that blocked the road around Challenge in Ibadan recently. This is a further proof of your administration’s promptness to resolve issues around safety of lives and properties.

“We sincerely regret any embarrassment the accident that resulted in the abandonment of the container on the side of the road might have caused the government and good people of Oyo State.

“Our association responded promptly to the accident by visiting the scene to ensure safety of lives and property, and joining different agencies of government, mainly the Police and FRSC and also paying equipment operators (crane, Hiab loader and towing van) to remove the truck and container from the road.

“We could not completely evacuate the container on the day of the incident due to equipment scarcity within the State.

“The DPO of Felele Police Station and the  Unit Commander of the FRSC, Toll gate Unit, Lagos-Ibadan express road, were professional in their conducts by ensuring that lives and properties were properly protected.

“The container would not have stayed beyond the same day but for logistics challenges.

“We want to plead with your excellency to please consider the release of the said truck and container; which is currently in the custody of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority.

“We have approached the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority and a bill of N850,000 was issued to us payable into a Zenith Bank Account number: 1016751601, whose beneficiary is RELIABLE AUTO SERVICES instead of the Agency or the State government account.

“We were concerned by this and sent a delegation led by the President of our association to meet with the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority, Dr.Akin Fagbemi.

“Our purpose of the visit was to express our gratitude and solidarity to the Governor of Oyo State through the agency, plead for a waiver on the said fine and seek clarification on the account.

“We were disturbed by the level of misrepresentation of your Government which the Executive Chairman demonstrated.

“Apart from being unprofessional, he did not hide his inferriority complex towards LASTMA, when he realised we came from Lagos. This was noted without stress when he kept referring to the agency in every of his statement, comparing structures and operational mode instead of addressing the issue. We were therefore humiliated in the presence of his female friends in the office.

“We were also threatened to be beaten by hoodlums and he (Executive Chairman) eventually abandoned our delegation to play Table Tenis within the complex.

“After waiting for several hours, we had to leave the premises of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority without achieving any meaningful results.

“The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority was extremely boastful of willing to take laws into his hands simply because he claim to report directly to the Governor.

“He advised us to go to court and emphasised his influence on the judiciary.

“We do pray that you look into our appeal and also consider calling the concerned officer to order in the interest of the image of your administration.”