Kogi State House Assembly has setup an adhoc committee to probe alleged illegal activities of the Kogi State Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA).
The Speaker, Prince Matthew Kolawole, tasked the adhoc committee to carry out an investigative hearing on the activities of KOTRAMA on Monday, 5th September, 2022.
In a statement signed by the Clerk of the Committee, Alfa Ndagi M., the House of Assembly noted that part of the terms of reference given to the adhoc committee is to ascertain whether the activities of KOTRAMA were in consonance 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.
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.
Allegations of human rights abuses and violence leveled against the agency will also be looked into and charges and fees payable.
Recall that two months ago, the Kogi State House of Assembly invited the management of Kogi State Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA) to appear before them over alleged misconduct, rights abuse and extortion of motorists.
Raising a motion of urgent public importance, the member representing Olomaboro constituency, Hon Anthony Ujah, accused the officials of KOTRAMA of extorting motorists and infringing on the rights of Kogi people.
Ujah said most staff members of the agency had gone beyond the specific agenda of the 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 lamented that KOTTROMA 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.
