Cross River government withdraws traffic enforcement officers on all routes in Calabar; DG, SEMA suspended
The Government of Cross River State has withdrawn traffic enforcement officers from all routes in the State till further notice.
This is not unconnected to the series of recent complaints by motorist of over-ticketing, harassment, and attacks by the traffic enforcement officers.
The unease had led to a peaceful protest by commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis to express their grievances.
A press release issued on Monday 30th October 2023 by the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Transportation, J. D Agba warned that anyone parading himself or herself as a representative of the Ministry of Enforcement team should be arrested and handed over to the police.
The press release read: ”This is to inform the members of the public that the Cross River State Ministry of Transportation has withdrawn all its traffic enforcement officers from all routes in the State till further notice.
“Consequently, anyone parading himself/herself as a representative of the Ministry of Enforcement team should be arrested and handed over to the police.”
Also, The Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief (Mrs.) Angela Ogeyi Odey has been suspended with immediate effect, by Governor Bassey Otu.
Notice of her suspension was contained in a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, with Ref number: GOPRESS/012/VOL.II 261,dated Monday, October 30, 2023.
Although no reason was given for the suspension at the time of this report, the DG is directed to handover to the most senior Director in the agency before the close of work on Monday.
The Release read in parts: “The Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, orders the immediate suspension of the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief (Mrs.) Angela Ogeyi Odey.
“The DG is directed to hand over to the most senior director in the Agency before the close of work today, Monday, October 30, 2023.
During the period of her suspension, she is requested not to be engaged, covertly or overtly, in the administration of the SEMA except otherwise directed by His Excellency.
Mrs. Angela Ogeyi Odey, who was appointed on August 1, 20233, has spent 90 days in office before the suspension on Monday by the Governor.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
