By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Kogi State House of Assembly has set up an adhoc committee to carry out investigative hearing on the activities of the state-owned transport outfit,Kogi State Transport Management Authority ( KOTRAMA).
The Clerk of the Committee, Alfa Ndagi M.,in a statement, said that the adhoc committee would sit on September 5.
Ndagi M., said that part of the terms of reference of the adhoc committee is to ascertain whether the activities of KOTRAMA were in consonance with or in violation of the Kogi State Law on Road Traffic Administration and Vehicle Inspection, 2018.
“The Committee is also to receive public complaints of extortions, corruptions and arbitrariness as well as reasons why KOTRAMA Officers are not wearing name tags for identification.
“Allegations of human rights abuses and violence leveled against the agency will also be looked into and charges and fees payable, the clerk said.
According to him, the ad-hoc Committee will also investigate why the traffic agency’s roles are in conflict with VIO and how effective it has addressed road management and safety concerns in the state.
Our Correspondent recalls that
the Assembly, about two months ago, had cause to invite the management of KOTRAMA to appear before it over alleged misconduct, rights abuse and extortion of motorists.
Hon. Anthony Ujah,the member representing Olomaboro Constituency, who raised motion of urgent public importance, accused officials of KOTRAMA of extorting motorists and infringing on the rights of Kogi people.
Ujah noted that most members of staff of the authority had gone beyond the specific agenda of its management board and taken the law into their hands by embarrassing and humiliating motorists.
He said, “The House has empowered the KOTRAMA officers as new marshals to sensitise the road users on proper usage of roads and enforcement, control traffic at intersections and roundabouts, to help school children at Zebra crossings and to help accidents’ victims and clear off the road accident debris.”
Ujah, however lamented that KOTROMA had abandoned the core objectives of clearing, easing connections at intersections and taking over the issues of checking vehicle particulars and other documents which are functions of VIO and FRSC.
