From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
The reckless and unjust deflatioitn of traffic offenders car tyres by officials of the Enugu state ministry of transport has continued to constitute serious pains on motorists in Enugu metropolis, as they spend more money to buy new tyres after paying commensurate fines into the coffers of the state government.
Checks revealed that the guidelines and rules that empowers the ministry to impound cars of traffic offenders merely charge them to secure the impounded vehicles at their custody until the offender provides evidence(receipt) of having paid the commensurate fine/task to the state government through any of the commercial banks.
But a very ugly culture in which the officials of Ministry of Transport Enugu deflates tyres of motorists parked at their custody within their premises while the fellow is following up the usual procedures established by the commission for the released of his car is not justifiable.
Many victims described the action as very inhumane, exhibition of intoxicated power and shear recklessness of the management, as they count damage inflicted on their car tyres and rims. Unfortunately, many have no voice to speak for them and the carnage continues
However, the writer of this piece coincidentally under went the harrowing and humiliating experience of reckless deflation of two tyres of his car,impounded by officials of Enugu state ministry of transport, even as he accepted their default and outrightly followed all the ministry’s laid down process of paying the traffic offenders fine of fifteen thousand.
All pleas to let the car tyres remain as they are since I complied to drive into their compound where it is confisticated and began processes of paying the fine according to laid down rules fell on deaf ears.
The recklessness in their process entails removal of every atom of air in a tyre as such that the weight of the car must have to exert serious pressure on the rim and flattened tyre pressed on a stony ground.
The consequence is that the motorist would go home thereafter the release of his car after paying fine, with a damaged tyre or punctured rim. Especially for those who are managing old tyres and rims,the implication is that amidst the severe economic and austere times,they will sacrifice some other luxury or necessities to buy tyres.
It is important to mention that the unpardonable traffic offence committed by the writer of this piece was the mere fact that he was very close to the Nkpokiti by Presidential road junction when the amber light appeared and did not ram into any other vehicle ,as none from other lanes was close by.
Unfortunately while waiting at the next traffic junction,a team from the ministry walked up with video gadgets to prove professionally that he committed traffic offence,as the red light was already on before he passed
The writer exhibited total compliance by driving his car to be kept at the custody of the ministry and commenced all procedures of paying the traffic offenders fine instantly which slipped over the next day. But the issue of deflating two tyres of a car without a zero air remaining in them is it part of the fine or another punishment which imposes extra ordinary cost on the offender designed by the ministry.
