AKHA SENSITIZES ROAD-USERS AND STREET TRADER'S ON GOVT. PLANS TO DECONGEST UYO METROPOLIS

Williams Akpabio - (Information) AKHA, UYO

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly through House Committee on Works and Transpot has taken to the street of Uyo to sensitize people on Government plan to decongest traffic within Uyo metropolis.

The Sensitization team led by the Committee Chairman Rt. Hon. David Lawrence, member representing Eket State Constituency flanked by member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency Rt. Hon Effiong Bassey and his Nsit Atai counterpart Rt. Hon. Mark Esset.

Other ranking Officers in the awareness team were: Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency Prince Ikim, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport Mr. Nse Edem, D.G Transport Council Mr Morice Edet, Committee Clerk Ms. Uduak Ebong Okon, Chairman Anti- touting, DG. Compliance and Monitoring, Men of Nigeria Army, Navy, NCSDC, FRSC, NURTW, RTEAN, TOAN etc.

According to Rt. Hon. David and Prince Ikim who spoke at different locations said that the essence of the Sensitization /Awareness Campaign is to intimate road users and street traders of government intention to disband all illegal parks within Uyo metropolis and stop forthwith street marketing to decongest traffic in the city. 

The public were also notified of government intention to setup Mobile Court for all defaulters. Street traders were also advised to leave pedestrian's paths and find alternative/authorized places to operate their business while Keke and Bus Drive were counsel to not to park or load at the major roads, meanwhile, inter-city and interstate buses are to relocate to government approved parks.

In his speech, Rt. Hon. David Lawrence who anchord the awareness campaign rally said street trading is not allowed in any civilized city and that government has setup a colourful joint task force to include Army, Navy, NSCDC, FRSC, Anti-touting Task force, NURTW, RTEAN, MOT to enforce the order, a mobile court has been setup, penalty will be either sentence to imprisonment, pay penalty or both. He however advise street traders, Keke riders and street trader to vacate the main road to ease traffic, congestion, harrastments, robbings, rapings etc.

According to the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency  Prince Ikim, who spoke in street and pigin English, he said "E-Don be, E-Don,  main roads no be market and motor park", that everybody should be guided as serious enforcement has commence, for that is the reason why government has taken the pains to inform the public for the last time. he recounted the number of times his agency has given warning on this same matters and it's time to enforce the law.

At the University of Uyo 1st gate, while addressing commutters, Rt Hon. David Lawrence make known that Government has directed the management of Uniyuo to relocate all student shuttle bus to Parks and load up passengers inside the campus for safety and to relieve congestion and traffic at Ikpa road.

Remarking, the Student Union President Comrades Emmanuel Akpan thank the state government and the House of Assembly for the vision and promise to stand by the government to achieve the desired goal, the student helmsman added that the union has tried their best to decongest the place but all attempt failed.

key places visited were Ikot Ekpene/ Ikpa Road junction, Uniyuo by 1st gate, Ikot Ekpene Road by Udi and Eka street, Plaza by Former First Bank, Aka Road, Abak Road, and Ikot Oku Ikono (Ekom Iman) Junction.