By Andrew Ikehi
The Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) yesterday, frowned at what it called ‘The rising wave of illegal road blocks and extortion of commuters and traders on all existing roads in the State.
The lawmakers in a motion raised at Tuesday’s Plenary by the member representing Bomadi State constituency, Hon. Oboro Preyor called on the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to urge the State commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Service (DSS), the joint Task Force (JTF) and other relevant security agencies in the State to completely and permanently dismantle, remove and close down all existing illegal road blocks and illegal tax collection points in the State.
At the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the lawmakers also, asked that the perpetrators and operators of all illegal road blocks and money collection points in the State be apprehended and, subsequently prosecuted in line with applicable laws of the State.
The motion which was supported by the member representing Patani state constituency, Hon Emmanuel Sinibe, also asked that a special task force be set up to ensure that traders, commuters and
Shedding light into the motion, Hon. Oboro Preyor noted that the existence of illegal road blocks and its twin evil of illegal money collection is one of the necessitating factor in the astronomical rise in the cost of goods in the State.
Hon. Preyor further stated that the perpetrators and operators of those illegal road blocks and money collection points have often resorted to beating, maiming and dehumanisation of traders and commuters alike who dare to question their illicit deals.
He maintained that if urgent actions were not taken to address the challenge, it might soon degenerate into breakdown of law and order in the state.
Speaking in favour of the motion, the member representing Ika South state constituency and Deputy majority leader, Hon. Festus Okoh, while describing some of the operators of such illegal road blocks as criminally minded individuals, narrated how he was once robbed in one of the illegal road blocks sometime ago.
Also, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Emeka Nwaobi noted that the existence of the illegal road blocks is not only unlawful, but impacting negatively on the economic lives of Deltans and indeed, Nigerians.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Commending the lawmakers for their legislative ingenuity in the motion, the Speaker Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor noted that motion is in tandem with the M.O.R.E agenda of the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
Meanwhile, at Tuesday’s Plenary, the Delta State Merit Award Scheme Bill which was earlier billed for second reading, suffered setback as it was withdrawn by the Chief sponsor, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi.
Also at Tuesday’s Plenary, the House received the report by the House committee on local government and chieftaincy affairs on the declaration regulating the appointment and succession of Unuevmoro(s) and Usiavwe(s) under the section 23 of the Delta State traditional rulers council and chiefs law 2008 in Uvwie Kingdom.
