Despite Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s order banning the impounding of vehicles and number plates in Aba, workers of the Aba South Local Government Area, Abia state have embarked on indiscriminate towing of vehicles parked along major roads in the city.
Following the activities of LGA workers who work with hoodlums in Aba, Gov.Ikpeazu had in December 2019, barred the impounding of vehicles and seizure of number plates in Aba. However , the LGA workers and hoodlums are back to work.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that the workers who adorn vests with the inscription, ‘Aba South LGA’ ,impound vehicles parked on any side of the road , claiming that they were parked wrongly , even when there are no designated parking lots in the city.
A source alleged that the activities of the council workers who impound vehicles have increased since the return of the suspended Transition Committee Chairman of Aba South LGA, Hon. Cherechi Nwogu.
Narrating her ordeal, a nursing mother, Mrs Nneka Nwogu, said she paid N25, 000 before her car was released as her plea that she was a nursing mother fell on deaf ears.
In her words; “I went to Clifford road to buy some food stuff. I parked my car along with others. When I returned, my car was missing, but I was told that some people wearing vests from Aba South LGA towed away the car. I got to Aba Town hall, but was directed to the Aba motor park where I saw my car with the four tyres deflated. I met the officials and asked for my offence, they said I parked on the wrong side. They demanded N30, 000. I finally paid N25, 000.
“All my appeals that I’m a nursing mother fell on deaf ears. This is sheer wickedness. How can the government be doing this to its citizens; extorting money when they have not designated any parking spaces?”
A tricycle operator, who simply gave his name as Chukwuma, lamented that those who tow away vehicles in Aba are only interested in making money from innocent vehicle owners not to improve the traffic situation in the city.
He said; “Many vehicle owners have been forced to stop making use of their vehicles because vehicles can be seized irrespective of where it is parked. Traders at Shopping Centre, Cemetery Market and Ahia-Ohuru have nowhere to park their vehicles as all the parking spaces in the market have been built up.
“Any little space gotten is tagged illegal. They’ll pick your vehicle, tow it to their office, deflect the tyres and will ask you to pay between N25, 000 to N30, 000. This is how they drive away business people who visit Aba.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Chairman of Aba South LGA, Hon. Cherechi Nwogu, were unsuccessful as his mobile number indicated that it was unavailable.