Calls for Govt’s Intervention
By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The President of Integrated Allied, Mr. Fedelis Onyibe Onwe, has raised concerns about the alleged constant harassment and intimidation faced by road users at the checkpoint along Nwakgwu road beside Immaculate Conception. He urged the government to intervene in this matter.
Speaking with the press in Abakaliki, Mr. Fedelis disclosed a distressing trend affecting the market – police harassment and intimidation, resulting in the loss of customers. Traders shared their grievances, citing delays for customers traveling from the city to patronize the market, leading them to opt for purchases in town.
Expressing concern over the impact on business, Mr. Fedelis called on the government to address the alleged police extortion. He emphasized that proper performance of law enforcement duties would prevent customer harassment. He urged authorities to investigate and remove officers engaging in extortion, pointing out the negative impact on the market’s reputation.
Stating, “Customers will move from the city to come and patronize us, they will delay them for four/five hours; customers will go back and decide to buy in town. I don’t know their reason for harassing customers because when you get there, you will see motorists parked. If I say they are extorting money, I won’t be wrong. We are losing lots of customers because of the police; the government needs to do something about it. If they are there doing their work properly, nobody will be molested. We want these people to be removed; this is not the only federal road.”
The President emphasized his dedication to improving the market’s infrastructure, addressing issues like poor roads and inadequate facilities. He assured the market community that positive transformations would be realized through collective efforts and engagement with the state governor.
Describing the Ebonyi State Governor as a man of peace and ‘God-sent’ to the state, Mr. Fedelis expressed confidence in his commitment to the well-being of Ebonyians.
He advised people to support the Governor’s administration as well as his own, stating, “My advice to the marketers is that for me to be on the throne, let them support me fully. Together we stand, divided we fall. If we are together, all these promises I made will be fulfilled in a twinkle of an eye.”
However, when SpringNews contacted the Public Relations Officer for a response to the allegation of extortion, she was in a meeting and opted for text. A text was sent to her, but as of the time of reporting, there was no response to the allegation.