Environmental Taskforce Extorting Us, Delta State Traders, Business Owners Cry Out

Delta State traders, artisans and others have cried to the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency, come to their rescue over outrageous extortions by members of the state environmental taskforce.

According to the traders and artisans, the environmental taskforce, under the chairmanship of a former commissioner for environment, Godspower Asiuwhu, has been confiscating their wares.

They also alleged that they are taken to the taskforce office where huge sums of money are extorted from them before their confiscated wares and goods are released to them.
The traders lamented their recent ordeals at the hands of members of the taskforce otherwise known as ‘Marshals’.

The traders alleged that depending on the kind of goods confiscated, they are made to pay fines ranging from N20,000 to N50,000 and the fines are not remitted into the state coffers because they are collected in cash by individuals working as environmental taskforce marshals. 
 
Some other traders and business owners who were interviewed complained about incessant extortions by the officials of the taskforce.
 
One of them said, “Just few days ago, rather than disciplining or sanctioning the state coordinator of the taskforce, George, who was accused of incessant extortions, the taskforce chairman merely went and redeployed him from day session to the night session to continue the extortions.

“Governor Sheriff should look very well into this matter. The taskforce chairman, the admin and state coordinator should be investigated because they are very much aware of all the ongoing extortions by the taskforce.”

“A situation where monies extorted and receipts are not issued for them is fraudulent. The state government is being defrauded and scammed by the taskforce officials,” another affected trader said.

When contacted over the issues, the chairman of the state environmental taskforce and former commissioner for environment, Godspower Asiuwhu and the administrator, Nkechi Ukpemo, who initially denied extortions by the taskforce, acknowledged the receipt of several reports of fraudulent extortions from traders and business owners by officials of the taskforce.
They warned that anyone caught shall be sanctioned and dismissed from the taskforce.