OPINION Motorist and check points on Nigeria roads

By Ikpang Sunday

Iwill say something had to be done, and, if there should let’s remember the functions and the role the conscience plays. I want to also bring to your notice the reasons why motorist quickly comply to this;

The issue of check points and motorist on Nigeria roads is a concern issue. The lamentations you hear most times, by motorist and passengers and eyewitnesses; to the hurdles of check point’s officers are alarming. Obviously, the important of the check points cannot be overemphasized check points are enacted to curtail lawlessness, criminal activities; like smuggling, banditry and illegality. It is also to keep motorist abreast on the uses of the road and to know the conditions of their vehicles and also to generate revenue.

But it is very dishearten, that instead of the real activities of why this various organizations are permitted to mounts the road; the reverse is the case bribery and corruption had replace this important activities.

Some officers of the federal republic of Nigeria with their authorize uniforms collect tips to let go of some motorist and their deformed, outdated and dilapidated vehicles to the detriment of their life, passengers and the general public. I will say point blank here that there is nothing wrong in appreciating an officer at any check points with any amount for the sacrificial services that’s being render to humanity; but making it a daily contribution is questionable.

And most time some check points are illegal, criminally arrange and unwholesome. I will say again we can not dispute the importance of check points created by the federal, state and local government for revenue and also for security. We all know this had contributed earnestly to the development and safety of the nation at large.

But allowing some of these checks point to be headed by unschooled and greedy individuals both on highways and minor roads is unprofessional. In some highways you can meet more than 30 check points or road blocks and at every points motorist must ‘roger’ and any incompliant the vehicle of such motorist is impounded or delay until they comply and if things does not augur well with both parties it can either results to harassment, humiliation and sometime death or injury of either an officer or a motorist or both; not mindful whether the contents of the vehicle both human and object or substance is valid or illegal.

I will say something had to be done, and, if there should let’s remember the functions and the role the conscience plays. I want to also bring to your notice the reasons why motorist quickly comply to this;

Some vehicle particulars and driver license of motorist had expires for about God’s know how long and they still parade theirselves and their vehicles confidently, this makes these motorist to be prepared to comply, with any amount so that their journey would not be delay. And sometime even though their documents are complete and valid the check points officers still demand for a tips before the motorist is permitted to proceed

Vehicles which are not fit to ply the road are another factor. A point whereby you will see some vehicles piling up loads, passengers and goods together like sardine and the tires looking very frustrated on the road and the driver manages the driver’s door with one hand and driving with the other and changing gears in between a passenger’s lap is an eyesore.

Officers of the law making it a mandatory to collect money from every motorist is uncalled for and anyone who refuses to comply is harassed; so motorist prepared to comply to avoid this odd experiences.

I don’t have a problem with check points, so long the authorities barricading these roads, are doing the right thing. And I want to say also that continous proper orientations should be given to all law enforcement agents on how to behave at check points and also illegal check points created to extort monies from motorist in the name of revenue should be look into. Because the revenue collected at these illegal check points, end up been banked, in the pockets of these marauders.

Ikpang Sunday can be reached at ikpangsunday@ gmail.com.