Business
THE Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), has condemned the arbitrary seizure of vehicles conveying raw materials and finished products, by the officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The Chamber’s President, Mr. Chris Ukachukwu, made the condemnation in a statement on Thursday in Awka, Anambra.
He said that such high-handedness by officers of the FRSC was counterproductive to the fragile economy of Onitsha and its environs.
Ukachukwu said that members of the Onitsha business community, like their counterparts in other parts of the world, were struggling to stay afloat in the present dreaded COVID-19 pandemic with its attendant restrictions and economic recession.
“As the government continues to ease the restrictions occasioned by the pandemic, transportation of raw materials and finished goods has a key role to play in business survival of the farmer, manufacturer and trader.
“Lately, there have been complaints from local business owners over perceived high-handedness, arbitrary seizure and detention of vehicles involved in the conveyance of goods and services by men of the FRSC.
“The Onitsha business community is alarmed at the recent increase in the activity of Road Marshals in impounding of these vehicles conveying either raw materials or finished products.
“These seized vehicles are taken to the office of the command and fines of all kinds are imposed on the owners,” he said.
Ukachukwu urged the Commission to be humane in the enforcement of the law so as not to discourage many business owners who had continued to strive to stay afloat in spite of economic challenges.
“Onitsha is already bedeviled with a lot of challenges such as the on-going massive extortion of commercial vehicles by several groups of touts spread all over the major roads of the city.
“The combinations of these twin factors portend disaster. Should this trend continue, it can frustrate a lot of people out of business?
“This could lead to business closures that will result in massive lay-offs with the attendant consequences of youth unemployment,
“It is our firm conviction that law enforcement should have a human face,” he said.
While appreciating the efforts of the FRSC in ensuring a conducive motoring environment, the President urged the authorities of FRSC to provide “palliatives” for the business community by discontinuing its harsh enforcement on the transportation of goods and services. (NAN)
– Jun. 25, 2020 @ 14:49 GMT |
Tags: Onitsha Chamber laments arbitrary seizure of delivery vehicles
