…Taskforce to begin enforcement in two weeks; buses, tricycles face fines for violations

 

The Enugu State Government has moved to end road obstructions, illegal parking, indiscriminate passenger pick-and-drop and roadside trading in the Enugu metropolis, directing commercial vehicles and tricycles to load and offload only at designated parks.

The government also announced the establishment of an Access and Sanitation Taskforce to enforce the new policy, with operations scheduled to commence in two weeks.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, announced the measures on Wednesday at the Government House, Enugu, during a meeting with stakeholders in the transport, environmental, market and local government sectors.

 

He said the taskforce, comprising relevant government agencies, the three municipal councils, transport unions, market associations and security agencies, was strictly an enforcement body and not a revenue-generating mechanism.

 

Onyia said the policy was a continuation of the administration’s access management initiative, recalling that the first Executive Order issued by the government in 2023 was aimed at removing unauthorised barriers and obstructions 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 said keeping roads open was also critical to security and emergency response, noting that obstructions could hinder security personnel pursuing suspects or responding to emergencies.

 

Under the new enforcement regime, vehicles, tricycles and roadside traders apprehended for violations will be taken to the appropriate local government headquarters and will not be released until prescribed conditions are met.

 

Onyia said the government was working with the Attorney-General to finalise the penalties, with proposed fines of N50,000 for buses and N30,000 for tricycles. Impounded vehicles would also not qualify for release until seven days after apprehension, while offenders would be required to meet stipulated conditions, including psychiatric evaluation.

 

The SSG, however, said the government would adopt a humane approach towards roadside traders, particularly those dealing in perishable goods, with market leaders to be involved in developing sanctions that deter violations without unnecessarily destroying livelihoods.

 

He warned that serial offenders would face additional measures and cautioned members of the taskforce against favouritism or interference in the enforcement process.

 

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

 

The Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comr. Chidiebere Aniagu, backed the initiative, pledging the association’s cooperation to keep major and internal roads free for movement.

 

The State Chairman of the Tricycle Transport Union, Comr. Kingsley Edeh, also pledged the union’s support for the exercise.

 

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (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 for environmental violations.