Tipper drivers in Anambra are facing challenges as they claim officials of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) are extorting N200,000 from each driver. The Chairman of the association, Mr. Ebuka Unekwe, made this allegation during a press briefing in Onitsha, highlighting the ordeal tipper drivers face on a daily basis due to the poor conditions of the roads they travel on.
Unekwe stated that ARTMA officials use the guise of traffic control to forcefully collect money from tipper drivers, leading to frustrations among the drivers. According to him, the drivers are forced to pay N200,000 in cash, with no option for cash transfers accepted by the officials.
The drivers have decided to stage a peaceful protest to address the ongoing extortion issue and bring it to the attention of the state governor. Despite these claims, the Managing Director of ARTMA, Mr. Emeka Konti, denied the allegations and stated that no official was instructed to collect money from the drivers.
The situation remains contentious as tipper drivers in Anambra strive to address the alleged extortion and improve their working conditions.