Enugu Moves To Tackle Road Obstruction, Illegal Parking, Street Trading

The Enugu State Government has commenced plans to restore free movement on major roads across the Enugu metropolis by enforcing a ban on traffic obstruction, indiscriminate passenger pick-up and drop-off, roadside trading and other activities that hinder vehicular and pedestrian movement.

The government also directed commercial vehicles and tricycles to load and offload passengers only at designated parks, warning that offenders would face sanctions under a new enforcement regime.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Government House, Enugu, while addressing stakeholders from the transport, environmental, market and local government sectors.

Onyia announced the establishment of the Access and Sanitation Taskforce, comprising representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies, the three municipal councils, transport unions, market associations and security agencies.

According to him, the taskforce would commence operations within two weeks and would focus on enforcing the state government’s access management and sanitation policies.

He stressed that the initiative was not designed to generate revenue but to ensure that residents and businesses comply with regulations aimed at keeping roads and public spaces accessible.

The SSG recalled that the state government, upon assuming office in 2023, issued an Executive Order to remove unauthorised barriers and other obstructions from roads across the state.

He said allowing motorists, traders and other road users to recreate the same obstructions after physical barriers had been removed would defeat the purpose of the government’s policy.

“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,” Onyia said.

He explained that the enforcement exercise also had security implications, noting that obstructed roads could delay security personnel responding to emergencies or pursuing suspects.

Onyia said vehicles, tricycles and roadside traders apprehended for violating the regulations would be taken to the appropriate local government headquarters and would only be released after meeting prescribed conditions.

He disclosed that the state government was working with the Attorney-General to finalise the penalties, including proposed fines of N50,000 for buses and N30,000 for tricycles.

The SSG added that impounded vehicles would not qualify for release until seven days after apprehension, with offenders expected to meet other stipulated conditions, including psychiatric evaluation.

However, Onyia assured roadside traders, especially those dealing in perishable goods, that the government would adopt a humane approach in implementing the policy.

He said the taskforce would collaborate with market leaders to develop appropriate sanctions that would discourage violations without unnecessarily destroying people’s livelihoods.

The SSG warned that tougher measures would be introduced for repeat offenders, adding that such measures would be developed in consultation with the Attorney-General.

He also cautioned members of the taskforce against compromising the exercise through favouritism or interference on behalf of offenders.

“The purpose of this taskforce is not to catch anybody; it is for people to do the right thing,” he said.

The Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comr. Chidiebere Aniagu, commended the government’s initiative, saying roads in the state, including major and internal roads, should remain free for movement.

Aniagu pledged the association’s support for the enforcement exercise and assured the government that its members would comply with the new policy.

Similarly, the State Chairman of the Tricycle Transport Union, Comr. Kingsley Edeh, described the stakeholders’ meeting as fruitful and pledged the union’s cooperation towards the successful implementation of the initiative.

Edeh also expressed the continued support of tricycle operators for Governor Peter Mbah’s administration and his 2027 re-election bid.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA), Richard Onaga, said the sanitation component of the exercise would focus on activities such as blocking drainage channels, indiscriminate disposal of waste and throwing refuse from moving vehicles.

Onaga warned that individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations would be prosecuted for environmental offences.

The state government said the overall objective of the exercise was to improve traffic flow, strengthen public safety, protect the environment and make Enugu metropolis cleaner, safer and more accessible.