The Enugu State Government has announced plans to end road obstructions, illegal parking, indiscriminate passenger pick-and-drop and roadside trading in the Enugu metropolis.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Government House, Enugu, during a meeting with stakeholders in transport, environment, markets and local government.
According to Onyia, an Access and Sanitation Taskforce will begin enforcement in two weeks. The taskforce comprises government agencies, the three municipal councils, transport unions, market associations and security agencies.
He said the body was strictly an enforcement unit and not a revenue-generating mechanism.
Onyia explained that the policy is a continuation of the administration’s access management initiative, noting that the first Executive Order in 2023 was aimed at removing unauthorised barriers from roads.
“Most of you remember that the first Executive Order at our assumption of office was access management. We said we would remove all obstructions on the roads. We cannot remove those barricades and allow vehicles to form a new kind of barricade on the roads,” he said.
He added that keeping roads open was critical for security and emergency response.
Under the new regime, commercial buses and tricycles will be required to load and offload only at designated parks. Violators will be impounded and taken to the appropriate local government headquarters.
Onyia said the government, in collaboration with the Attorney-General, is finalising penalties. Proposed fines are N50,000 for buses and N30,000 for tricycles. Impounded vehicles will not be released until seven days after apprehension, and offenders will be required to meet stipulated conditions, including psychiatric evaluation.
On roadside traders, the SSG said the government will adopt a humane approach, especially for those dealing in perishable goods. Market leaders will be involved in developing sanctions that deter violations without destroying livelihoods.
He warned that serial offenders would face additional measures and cautioned taskforce members against favouritism.
“The purpose of this taskforce is not to catch anybody; it is for people to do the right thing,” Onyia said.
The Chairman of RTEAN, Comr. Chidiebere Aniagu, and the State Chairman of the Tricycle Transport Union, Comr. Kingsley Edeh, both pledged their support for the exercise.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of ESWAMA, Richard Onaga, said the sanitation component would target persons blocking drainage channels, littering streets and throwing refuse from moving vehicles. He warned that offenders would be prosecuted.
Enugu Begins Crackdown on Road Obstructions, Roadside Trading
By Nwoko
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