By Galaxy Imamadu
Human rights activist, journalist and Executive Director of Global Action Against Hunger, Crime and Violation of Peoples’ Rights (GAHCAVPER), Comr. Emeka Nwokocha, has raised alarm over rising and unchecked violation of traffic laws in Delta State, saying such uncivilised indulgence presents the state as being lawless and disorderly.
Comr. Nwokocha, took the firm stand against traffic violations in the state, on Tuesday, 2 April, 2019, in Warri, headquarters of Warri south Local Government Area of the state, while appraising the developmental trends in the state in recent times.
The human rights activist, frowned at the nonchalant posture and recalcetrant manner motorists and keke drivers violate traffic laws in the state with daring proclivity.
He noted that flouting of traffic laws was becoming a cherished norm that must not be condoned by government of Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
“The governor Okowa administration can’t be in the business of condoning lawlessness and impunity on our roads,” Comr. Nwokocha said.
He expressed concern that the ugly development was getting out of hand, saying, “the good and spirited members of the public cannot fold their hands while act of lawlessness reign supreme in the state.”
He continued: “I am appalled at the recurring violations of traffic laws by motorists and Keke drivers in the state, even as all categories of persons, including the supposedly educated and well placed personalities in the society also flout traffic laws with impunity.”
Continuing, Comr. Nwokocha said that a monitoring team from GAHCAVPER whilst on surveillance assignment in Warri, Effurun and Ekpan metropolis, observed that motorists, including truck and Keke drivers take pride in flouting traffic laws with inexplicable impunity and even dare the law enforcement agencies who often times, lack the courage to carry out their statutory duties diligently.
Comr. Nwokocha was critical of the deliberate manner some disgruntled motorists and Keke drivers truncate sanity, safety, peace and orderliness on the roads in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
He described the development as mind-boggling, even as he noted that most violations of traffic laws in Uvwie are regularly perpetuated at New layout junction, Jakpa Road, Ekpan; Okwisoko junction, Jakpa Road, Ekpan; Uti street junction, PTI Road, Effurun; Ovie palace junction, PTI road, Effurun; Sokoh Estate junction, Jakpa Road, Effurun; and Ugbomro junction, Effurun.
Comr. Nwokocha queried why motorists and Keke drivers would rather prefer to drive against traffic at the above mentioned spots, instead of using the authorised turning points which are some meters ahead.
The human rights activist, also noted the defiant and wreckless manner Keke drivers plying Alegbo Road – Effurun market flout traffic laws, wondering why the Keke drivers would prefer driving against a surging traffic anytime they are heading to Effurun market from Alegbo junction, thereby causing avoidable obstruction on the busy road.
His words: “It is hurting to note the wreckless manner Keke drivers that ply Alegbo Road – Effurun market flagrantly flout traffic laws. These guys would not use the authorised route when heading to Effurun market from Alegbo junction. They would rather drive their Keke against mounting traffic and meander through the gridlock from Alegbo junction to Effurun market. In the course of the manuevering, they pose serious threat to other road users while everybody looks the other way.”
He passionately called on governor Ifeanyi Okowa to act decisively by ensuring stringent measures are put in place to check the ugly trend and restore sanity in the state, saying the unruly behaviour of motorists tends to present the state in bad light.
He said, “I am constrained to call on the relevant authorities in Delta State, the governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Chairmen of the 25 Local Government Councils in the state, including law enforcement agents – the police and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), to join hands to ensure discipline and sanity prevail on the roads in the state.
“Most importantly, I strongly call on the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Hon. Ramson Onoyake, to put modalities in place to impose strict sanctions on recalcitrant drivers and ensure motorists and Keke drivers imbibe and demonstrate the culture of voluntary compliance to traffic laws.”
Continuing, Comr. Nwokocha charged Hon. Onoyake to ensure traders at Effurun market do not block the motor lanes with their wares, even as he observed that the huge traffic that often builds up within the market area is caused by the traders who without recourse to the laws, display thier wares on the road, thus disrupting free flow of traffic.
He however, expressed confidence in the ability of governor Ifeanyi Okowa to make huge impact in the development of infrastructure in the state during his second tenure in office, saying that the governor has all it takes to etche his name on the marble of history by simply delivering the dividend of democracy to the yearning populace.
