By ALEX ENEBELI

The Federal Government has begun the evacuation of heavy duty trucks parked indiscriminately on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety.

The enforcement which started from the Anambra border through the 9th Mile axis to Enugu metropolis, is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Works in collaboration with security and traffic management agencies.

Speaking during the exercise, the Federal Controller of Works in Enugu State, Mr Smart Okpi, said the operation was in line with the directive of the Minister of Works to remove all illegally parked heavy duty trucks obstructing traffic on the highway.

Okpi said the ministry had earlier notified stakeholders through press releases and media announcements before the commencement of the enforcement.

“We are here with the Federal Road Safety Corps to coordinate traffic, the Enugu State Transport Management Authority with towing equipment, the Nigeria Police Force to maintain law and order, and the Nigerian Army to provide additional security,” he said.

The controller said community leaders and business associations also participated in the exercise, adding that their cooperation had resulted in a high level of compliance.

“So far, people have been complying. You can see that the trucks are already leaving the expressway, making it clear and safer for road users,” he said.

Okpi said the exercise would be sustained, with ministry officials continuing to monitor the corridor to prevent a return to indiscriminate roadside parking.

He said community leaders had been mobilised to report violations, while offending vehicles would be impounded and taken to the FRSC yard.

The controller, however, identified inadequate space for impounded vehicles as a possible challenge if the enforcement was expanded.

He advised truck operators to use a nearby private trailer park and a space provided by the local government pending construction of trailer parks under the next phase of an ongoing project.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Gariki Ugwuoba Cattle Market, Mr Mohamed Idris, described the exercise as timely and beneficial.

Idris said the market leadership had already sensitised truck drivers, mechanics and traders against parking on the roadside.

“We have been working day and night to ensure that trucks no longer park along the road.

“Although we do not have a permanent trailer park, we have been using a private facility, which is already overstretched,” he said.

He explained that drivers who ignored the directive did so at their own risk and appealed to the government to provide additional parking facilities.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Ugwuoba Cattle Market Task Force, Mr Chimaobi Nwangwu, said the market leadership received official notification from the ministry one month earlier and immediately began sensitising truck drivers.

“We have been telling them every day that there should be no parking on the road, but some drivers are stubborn.

“Today’s joint operation involving the Police, the Army and other agencies has made enforcement much easier,” he said.

Nwangwu expressed optimism that sustained enforcement would eliminate traffic congestion along the corridor. (NAN)

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