Commercial transport activities in certain parts of Enugu State have been confined to newly constructed government bus terminals, following a directive by the state Ministry of Transportation aimed at easing congestion in key locations.
According to the ministry, the affected terminals include Holy Ghost Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, as well as those in Garriki, Abakpa and Nsukka. The facilities were built under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration as part of broader efforts to restore order and reduce persistent traffic bottlenecks in major commercial corridors. The relocation of transport operations to these terminals officially took effect on Tuesday.
The ministry directed all transport operators to strictly load and unload passengers only within the designated terminals, stressing that access roads in and around the facilities must remain free of parked vehicles to allow for smooth traffic movement and orderly operations. Passengers were also advised to enter the terminals to board vehicles, as roadside loading and drop-off points have been outlawed.
Government officials warned that any breach of the directive would attract enforcement measures, noting that the policy is intended to enhance safety, efficiency and overall transport management across the state. The ministry expressed appreciation to transport operators, stakeholders and members of the public for their anticipated cooperation as the new arrangement is implemented.
Reacting to the development, a town planning expert, Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, praised the state government, describing the move as a long-overdue solution to human-induced traffic congestion at areas such as Holy Ghost, Abakpa and Nsukka. He blamed persistent gridlock on the indiscriminate roadside loading and unloading of passengers by drivers, adding that the new directive should bring noticeable relief to road users in the affected areas.
In a related development, the Enugu State Government has announced plans to begin the deregistration of all estate developments operating without proper approval or registration. The Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System Service (ENGIS), Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu, disclosed this during a joint stakeholders’ meeting with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.
The meeting was convened to tackle longstanding issues in estate development, land administration and physical planning within the state. Nwatu explained that the move forms part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the real estate sector and restore order to land management processes in Enugu.
He revealed that the government has ordered the immediate suspension of advertising and promotion of all unapproved estates, warning that developers and media platforms found marketing such properties would face sanctions. Nwatu also commended Governor Mbah for driving institutional reforms in urban development, describing the creation of ENGIS as a vital step toward improved regulation, transparency and accountability in the land sector.