An arm of Anambra State Government notorious for many incidences of extortion of innocent citizens and other notorious crimes has been disbanded by the state government.
The action by the State Government is coming against the backdrop of numerous complaints by citizens over the nefarious activities of the group charged mainly with traffic control and other ancillary functions in some parts of the state.
The State Commissioner for Transport, Christian Madubuko who disclosed the disbandment in Awka, said the present administration is reviewing the activities of its agencies and other attachments to ensure that they conform to best practices globally.
He revealed that government considers the activities of the organization masquerading itself as Willie Workforce, as inimical to it as they have been involved in extortion of innocent citizens using the name of the state government and the Ministry of Transport.
“I was directed by the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano to disband the organizational outfit called Willie workforce. The workforce has been involved in committing all kinds of atrocities and crimes against innocent Anambrians. They have been involved in extortion of money by false pretence from our people using the hallowed name of our Governor, the state government and the ministry of transport,” Madubuko revealed.
He noted that the decision was after a cursory review of the activities of the group confirmed the numerous allegations levelled against it were true.
According to the Commissioner, the government has concluded that if the group is left to thrive, it will sooner than later, metamorphose into a dreaded monster.
“The Ministry of Transport, therefore, acted to save our people from this fraudsters inflicting pains on motorists daily,” Madubuko explained.
Meanwhile, news of the disbandment of Willie Workforce has been greeted by serious jubilation in parts of Onitsha Commercial City.
Most commercial vehicle operators were seen celebrating what they described as a commendable effort that will significantly rid the streets of touts and revenue thieves by the State Government.
“For the first time, I am seeing Anambra Government go after the real thieves. This group has consistently boasted of how connected they are and how untouchable they are also. Transporters in Onitsha have suffered a great deal in their hands and no complaint against them is addressed as they should be. Instead, what the persons that report them to get is usually constant threat and attack. Government has done well this time and I sincerely commend them,” a Commercial tricyclist revealed to our correspondent.
For Tochukwu Nwoye, who operates a shop around Upper Iweka, they can now do their businesses without fear of harassment.
According to him, the group openly print and sell fake government revenue tickets, sell them and pocket proceeds and most times, this results in the traders paying multiple times especially when the real government agents come.
“This is what we have suffered over the years in the hands of Willie Workforce. What is not clear to me is why the government will set up such a group in the first place without a mechanism to checkmate excesses when they arise. It is however commendable that Obiano deemed it proper at this time to stop the problem,” Nwoye noted.
