Rt. Hon. Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State Governor |
The visit,
which was barely three weeks ago, was unprecedented and signposts a new
thinking of the government towards ameliorating the hardships commuters
encounter on the popular 9th mile corner roads during Yuletide season due to
the unbearable traffic gridlock in the area. The ugly experience road users
encountered on the roads in the past was caused by the existence of dangerous
potholes, inadequate availability of by-pass roads and the illegal parking of
heavy duty trucks along the roads.
Consequently,
the governor’s visit was not only timely but also in keeping with his campaign
promise to alleviate the sufferings of the people, give them a sense of
belonging and make their lives better as true heroes of democracy.
The purpose
of the inspection visit was also in line with his administration’s drive to
provide social services and reposition the state to be able maintain its pride
of place as the economic hub of the South East geo-political zone of the
country, bearing in mind the economic potentials of the 9th Mile area.
Gov.
Ugwuanyi who was accompanied to the sites that fateful evening by top officials
of the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Commissioner for
Commerce and Industry, Barrister Sam
Ogbu Nwobodo, among others, painstakingly trekked through the length and
breadth of the affected roads, mostly owned by the federal government, as he
demonstrated his thought for the area for easy flow of traffic during the
festivities.
After
inspecting the roads, he directed that the following palliative measures be
carried out immediately: vegetation control on the roads from Enugu to 9th mile
corner; removal of all the heavy duty trucks parked on the road sides to ensure
free flow of traffic, aggressive maintenance of potholes on the roads; clearing
and earthworks on the two newly awarded by-pass roads at 9th mile corner to
provide alternative roads for commuters and decongest the popular roads in the
area.
Other
measures include: erection of directional signs to assist road users utilize
the alternative by-pass roads; and effective engagement of the services of all
the law enforcement agencies such as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria
Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Police Force, among others to ensure
the enforcement of traffic laws and orderly movement of vehicles.
In a bid to
actualize this kind thought for the travellers, especially those returning home
to celebrate the festive season with their loved ones and are bound to pass
through the 9th mile corner roads to get to their destinations,
Gov. Ugwuanyi also directed the immediate relocation of all the heavy duty
trucks parked along the 9th Mile Corner-Nsukka-Onitsha expressway, and equally
mandated the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to as a matter of
urgency come up with the budget implication for the maintenance work on the
affected roads to enable government take necessary action.
Today, to
the glory of God, a visit to the 9th mile corner shows that the area has truly
felt the positive impact of the state government’s intervention as the roads
have witnessed aggressive maintenance of all the potholes that cause gridlock.
Apart from
the fact the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has concluded the repairing
of the potholes, vegetation control work and earthworks on the two by-pass
roads for alternative use during the peak period of the festivities, the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry has also decongested the obstruction along
the roads caused by parked heavy duty trucks, in line with the directives of
the governor.
It is
therefore, worthy of note, that the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,
Barrister Ogbu Nwobodo has made frantic efforts in relocating all parked
vehicles along the said roads.
In this
regard, a public notice he signed and issued to the press reads: “The Enugu State Government is working hard to alleviate the
plight of road users within and around the 9th Industrial zone by ensuring that
there is free flow of traffic during the festive season.
“Accordingly,
the government has directed that all heavy duty trucks including haulage
vehicles for the breweries and other Industrial establishments parked along the
Nsukka-Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Efficient Filling Station to the New By-pass,
9th Mile-Cocacola-Udi Road and by-pass connecting Onitsha road from Udi, etc,
must be moved immediately.
“Consequently,
government has provided temporary parking spaces for the Christmas period only
at these locations: old Toll-Gate along Enugu Onitsha Expressway, or the
Ajali-Owa Water Works site.
“All
haulage and other vehicles parked by the road side or obstructing traffic must
be evacuated immediately or vehicle will be towed at the owner’s cost.
Additionally, traders must not hawk their wares by the road side. Heavy duty
vehicles or trucks coming into Enugu or traveling to Onitsha from the Nsukka
must pass through the Ibute New 9th Mile By-Pass.
“These
measures are put in place by His Excellency Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the
Governor, to alleviate the sufferings of road users within and around the 9th
Mile Industrial zone. DRIVE CAREFULLY TO ARRIVE SAFELY! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR!.”
Reacting to
the development, residents of Enugu have commended Governor Ugwuanyi’s
development initiatives and sensitivity to the plight of the people.
(Leadership)
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