ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS MOVEMENT OF ARTICULATED VEHICLES
The Anambra State Government says it will restrict articulated vehicles from plying its roads between six o’clock in the morning to seven o’clock in the evening to prevent road crashes in the state.
The State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ejikeme, announced this in a chat with newsmen in his office in Awka, the state capital.
He said the state government had set aside two billion naira for the construction of truck parks at four sites in the state to enable it to enforce the order.
Mr. Ejikeme explained that the parks would be constructed in Onitsha, Amoka- Ihiala local government area, Ogbunka in Orumba South local government area,and Amansea in Awka North local government area.
The Commissioner pointed out that Governor Willie Obiano had wanted the order to be enforced this month but for logistics challenges.
He emphasised that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,Mr. Anali Chude had perfected a bill in that direction to the state House of Assembly to give the restriction a legal backing.
According to him, on one occasion, no fewer than sixty- five persons were burnt to death in a fell swoop in Onitsha in such a circumstance.
The commissioner said upon perfection of the arrangements, the state would go tough on any truck that contravened the law.
Correspondent Kevin Ekediegwu quotes Mr. Ejikeme as saying that drivers of such vehicles would be arrested and made to pay stipulated fines, or go to prison as the case might be.