Ogunlewe denies asking FERMA to collect money from motorists
By Tunde Alao and Abiodun Fanoro
CONTRARY to the belief in some quarters, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has not been authorised to collect money from motorists on federal roads.
The Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, made this clarification in a statement by his Special Adviser, Mr. Abiodun Omolaja yesterday.
Five officials of the agency were, however, injured in Lagos yesterday during separate attacks by unidentified persons.
While reacting to a letter written by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) alleging extortion by some FERMA officials, Ogunlewe stated that the primary assignment of FERMA was to repair and maintain federal roads.
Ogunlewe advised that cases of extortion in future should be reported to the police.
Manufacturers in Lagos had formally complained to the agency's parent body - Ministry of Works - that FERMA officials imposed sundry levies and charges on their business transactions in Lagos, especially on public transportation.
In a reply addressed to MAN, Ogunlewe said the accused "FERMA" officials lacked the mandate to collect any form of taxes and levies from motorists.
His words: "FERMA, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency as its name indicates, is established basically for the repair and maintenance of federal roads. Its functions do not in any way include enforcement of traffic rules, therefore, it has no authority to impose any fines for any alleged traffic violations."
Omolaja disclosed that his boss had repeatedly deplored the criminal activities of various impostors on Nigeria highways especially in Lagos State and the South-East zone.
He said the manufacturers had the right to challenge any officer posing as FERMA agent to extort money from them.
"But you will agree with us that unless your members resist these criminals and bring their activities to the attention of various law enforcement agencies for appropriate sanctions and deterrent measures, we fear that the menace may persist," the minister said.
He also advised that copies of the various receipts issued by FERMA officials be duly forwarded to the police and insisted that the companies listed on the receipt be properly investigated.
The minister stated that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) remained the only constitutional body empowered under the FRSC Act Cap 141 as amended by Decree 35 of 1992, to control and enforce traffic rules.
In another development, FERMA officials were attacked by persons in mufti at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) junction, on Agege Motor Road, Iyana Isolo and Ilasamaja bus stops on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
Special Assistant to the Minister of Works, Alhaji Abayomi Oyekola, told The Guardian that the incident had been reported to the police at the Mushin headquarters of Zone D Area Command.
Oyekola confirmed that the attackers were in mufti.
He hinted that the incident had also been reported to Ogunlewe, saying that the attacks would not force them out of federal roads.
Oyekola said: "Instead of running away and abandoning our duty, we will seek immediate police protection so that we can undertake our job. This matter will be taken up with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police tomorrow" (today).
A member of Federal Road Monitoring Committee, Chief Willy Akinlude, has condemned the attacks, saying it portended serious danger to peace in Lagos.
