Obienyem blasts Obiano for banning shuttle, tricycle, others in the state. See details.

Since the declaration of restrictions and ban of some mode of transportation in Anambra state, owing to security challenges being witnessed there, reactions and commentaries has followed the state government’s actions.

One of such reaction came from the Special Assistant to Mr. Peter Obi, the former governor of the state, Mr. Valentine Obienyem. Mr. Obienyem in his statement titled “Security Measures or What?”, condemn the action of the government and reiterated that such actions shows insensitivity to the economic plight of the people by government of the day. He further chastised the government for the degradation of the state security apparatus under his watch.

The statement of the SA to the former governor which has been generating raised eyebrows from the government quarters reads thus;

“Security Measures or What?”

“’Henceforth, any community where Keke is used to rob or commit any crime, the use of Keke will be banned totally in that area and the union EXCO sanctioned. Same measures will be applied in the case of shuttle bus and motorcycle’.”

I read it somewhere. The statement is commendable only insofar as it has shown the concern for security. But its very nature questions the rationality of those behind it. Now, the questions are: what percentage of shuttles, motorcycles and “kekes” are used to commit crime? Are there no other category of vehicles used for crime? Things are becoming harder in Nigeria and some of this mode of transport actually ameliorate the suffering of the people because of lower fares.

There are things we cannot decree out of existence because of abuse. Who has heard this classic Latin: abusus non tollit usum?” The difficult theological question is the propriety of Origin castrating himself in order to achieve perfection. That singular act denied him sainthood because the Church, in her wisdom holds that one cannot destroy nature in search of perfection.

The restriction of some category of vehicles to certain time is a very nice measure, it is a form of curfew, which is even on in some states that are security-challenged as Anambra State, Imo is an example. The call for outright ban because of these challenges is not only defeatist, but portrays a government that has exhausted its ideas because they have none.

The challenges we face today does not call for politics, but the fact to note is that the recklessness among those that drive any motorised object in Anambra is absolute . How many drivers obey traffics? Restoring order among them should start from there. As far as I am concerned, any driver that disobeys traffics should be heavily sanctioned, but the problem is that it is even officials placed at traffic points that pray for such transgression as an opening for them to collect bribe. You may at this point consider use private companies that will be allowed to collect percentage that will be paid by the offending drivers after he must have paid full amount to Government.

All I am saying is that the recklessness of those that drive is very annoying and sometimes portrays us as barbarians. Have you noticed that sometimes when one faithfully wait for traffic light to do the needful, those around the place will be beckoning on him to continue moving even as other drivers will look at him disdainfully as somebody who is utterly misguided?

We need measures to stop abuse, but we must remember that abuse, as earlier noted, cannot deny one of one’s rights, or be decreed out of existence, example being motorcycles, “kekes” and shuttles being banned if used for crime. What happens to other category of vehicles being used for crime?

When Mr. Peter Obi was the Governor, he heavily supported town’s Vigilantes in paying their personnel and in procurement of materials to work with, including vehicles. Obi started the demolition of confirmed abode of kidnappers. Obi bought armoured personnel carriers and armoured patrol vehicles for security agencies in the state, the first and last such was purchased by an Anambra GOVERNOR. Besides, no governor bought half of the normal security vehicles he purchased for security agencies. At that time, all the banks and big companies such as communication companies supported with vehicles donated to the governor. Why are they no longer donating today? Governance is not a show, but should ideally be for serious people!

These foregoing measures and more reduced crime before Gov. Willie Obiano took over. Basking on Obi’s success, he went home to sleep. Today, the security organisations of towns are no longer supported, many things are wrong. What we witness is the relapse after the effect of what Obi did. The security vehicles of some towns, for example, are no more serviceable.

Please let us all join hands and support any measures the Government comes up with through commendation, positive criticisms, inputs and other measures. Things are already bad for the people and banning anything now will only worsen the situation because those driven out of the means through which they support themselves may then see crime as attractive.

Last Line: We must note that the greatest crime facing the South-East today is the menace of the herders. I heard open grazing has been banned, but I still see people moving cattle all over the region looking as if they are not even aware of the “trash” some people are talking. If every Governor in the South talks and acts tough like the Benue Governor, their colleagues will take them seriously. I pity the man for almost remaining a lone voice”, the statement concluded.

Similar commentaries in form of condemnation and applause has been trailing the actions of the government since the press release yesterday.