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The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Peace, Security, Ethics and Privileges has identified those behind the civil disturbance that rocked Ughelli recently.

The Committee which was on a fact finding mission to Ughelli to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the disturbance occasioned from the violent protest of Okada riders in the town, met at the Ughelli North LG Secretariat where a public hearing on the issue was held, Friday, July 1st.

Led by its Chairman, Hon.Chief Benjamin Essien Okiemute, the DTHA member representing Isoko South Constituency II, the Committee received presentations from stakeholders on the issue.

In an opening address, the chairman of the Committee said its mission resulted from the DTHA plenary session during which Hon Barr Edoja Rufus Akpodiete, member representing Ughelli North Constituency II, moved a motion calling on the State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan to direct the Commissioner of Police to arrest those responsible for the chaos that threatened the peace of the community and brought business activities to a halt while the violent protest against illegal collection of levy from Okada riders lasted.

The motion was seconded by Hon Barr Mariere Samuel Oghenevwogaga, member representing Ughelii Constituency 1.

Consequently, the Speaker of the House, the Rt. Hon Victor Ochei directed the Committee to immediately proceed to Ughelli to find out the remote cause of the civil disturbance and make recommendations to the House on how to avoid future occurrence.

“We are on a fact finding mission” he said and urged participants to be sincere in their presentations so that the import of the discussion could help the DTHA to identify the possible cause of the crisis, proffer solutions and avert future occurrence.

Taking the first turn to speak, the Ovie of Ughelli, HRM Oharisi III, confirmed the practice of illegal collection of levy from Okada riders in the town and the reaction which almost led to crisis but for the timely intervention of the DPO of ‘A’ division of the Nigeria Police in Ughelli, Mr. Chris Sorgbara.

He expressed surprise at the development doubting if the action (collection of levy from Okada riders) got the blessing of government and begged the Committee to find out the fact especially as the action is alleged to be illegal.

Sir Barr Emmanuel Erhisere (JP), the DPM of Ughelli North LG council who hosted the meeting appreciated the timely intervention of the Committee on the matter, an action which according to him, goes to show the kind of House that the 5th State Assembly will be.

He said following the unrest that greeted the collection of levy from Okada riders, he made inquiry and his predecessor (Hon Kenneth Ibru), the immediate past chairman of the LG council informed that the collection was illegal and banned adding that since he assumed office as the DPM of the council, the council authority has not given approval for such collection.

According to him, his investigation revealed that the collectors of the illegal levy claimed that proceeds of the collection was meant for the welfare of the Okada riders but faulted the claim to the extent that the consent of the Okada riders was not obtained before the action was carried out.

He paid kudos to the DPO of ‘A’ division who nipped the crisis in the bud.

Lamenting that Okada riders have no visible leadership to represent them, he prayed the Committee to ensure that the problem is given adequate attention to arrest the ugly situation especially as Okada riding is a major source of livelihood for the teeming population of unemployed youths in the community and hence, opposed to the idea of frustrating those involved in the business.

Representative of the Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Vincent Omodemeta in his presentation said the authority had at one time introduced the levy collection with the aim of producing vests for the Okada riders and as a source of revenue to the State government; but the scheme ran into a hitch when it was resisted with a violent protest and has since been abandoned.

“Therefore, the Board of Internal Revenue is not involved in this mater” he declared.

Comrade Oteme Bateren, vice chairman, Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Branch ‘A’, Ughelli informed the Committee that all workers involved in road transportation are members of the union. He said the union has not gotten any directive from its leadership in the State to the effect of daily collection of levy from Okada riders.

According to him, the crisis that trailed the levy collection would have been disastrous were it not for the prompt intervention of the Police. He vehemently denied knowledge of any authorization for the collection and opined that should any organized group emerge among the Okada riders, such must be midwife and supervised by the NURTW.

Comrade Solomon Eshare who represented the chairman of NURTW Branch B, in Ughelli, Comrade Eric Oharisi also declared that the union has nothing to do with the collection of levy from Okada riders as such directive has not been given by the leadership of the union at the State level.

Storming into the Committee hearing room, Mr. Monday Patani who claimed to be the spokesman for the Okada riders unveiled the nitty-gritty behind the levy collection and after he had been cross examined by the Chairman of the Committee, he disclosed the identity of those who were behind the illegal collection.

On a point by point account, he gave the full names of all those in government and leadership of trade unions who connived with others to give credence to the illegal collection.

Asked for his opinion on the matter, he opposed to the sale of tickets on a daily basis to Okada riders since the State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has earlier scrapped the collection.

Comrade Godspower Oharisi of NURTW Branch C, in Ughelli also expressed shock at the development saying that at no time has the union been informed of levy collection from Okada riders.

He said the past administration of the council had banned levy collection from Okada riders and urged the Committee to fish out those responsible for the illegal collection and bring them to book.

He expressed gratitude to God for protection as the protesting Okada riders would have unleashed terror on them innocently believing that they (NURTW OFFICIALS) were party to the illegal collection.

Mr. Sunday Emareyo aka Golor, who spoke on behalf of the public paid kudos to the DPO of `A’ Division and his men for their experience and professional touch in containing the riot.

He said if the workforce of Okada riders is frustrated and made to quit the business the peace of the community would be endangered and therefore appealed to the committee to kill the idea of levy collections form Okada riders.

From the point of view of the security agencies, Mr. Afokwalam Gabriel, Superintendent of Police, and the DPO of Agbarho Division who represented the Police said “anything that is illegal is illegal” and that since the State government has not given authorization to the collection of levy from Okada riders, the action remains illegal.

He appreciated the commendation given to the Police in containing the riotous situation and sustaining the peace of the community pointing out that had the reverse been the case, the Police would have been held responsible for the breach of peace.

“The people were armed which means they took laws into their hands, the levy collection was illegal which means they (Collectors) took laws into their hands”.

At the end of the presentations, the chairman of the Committee, Hon Essien, noted that the Committee would make its recommendation to the DTHA.

He observed that the huge number of Okada riders in Ughelli is a major contribution to the economy of the town if properly harnessed.

The participants agreed at the end of deliberations that the sales of motorcycle tickets in Ughelli should be stopped “for now” and that if there is any need for such in future, government and all stakeholders would decide on it through appropriate channel.

The Committee also resolved that any body found selling ticket to Okada riders will be arrested and prosecuted. It directed the Police to invite all those accused of sponsoring the illegal collection for interrogation.