The Enugu State Government has raised the alarm that hoodlums last night vandalized the equipment that control traffic light system at Ani Street junction, Enugu by WTC, resulting in temporary shutdown of the traffic light system along UNEC road.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi stated that the alarm became necessary in view of the need to explain to the public especially road users the cause of the temporary shutdown of the traffic control light system on the said road.
Mr. Okechi added that the explanation would also cause the motorists to appreciate the predicament of the government in maintaining the operation of traffic control light system in the state, despite the current economic challenges in the country.
The commissioner maintained that the accident that occurred around 1 am on Saturday at Uwani by Robinson street junction was not caused by faulty traffic control light system, insisting that the traffic light system was in good state at the time the crash occurred.
He noted that the ugly activities of the vandals which include, carting away of the control system batteries, cables and other sensitive equipment during night hours, had been consistent, even when adequate security measures were provided to secure the equipment in different locations.
Mr. Okechi said that the vandalized equipment had been costing the state government a huge amount of money to restore, regretting that such criminal acts are being encountered when the nation’s economy is in a bad state.
He disclosed that some of the hoodlums had been arrested in the past and charged to the court, stressing that notwithstanding the untoward experience being encountered in the hands of the hoodlums, the state government remains committed to its vision to operate a functional traffic control light system for motorists to enjoy smooth and accident-free movement of vehicles in the state.
The commissioner therefore called on the public to assist the government in securing the equipment and report to the security agencies any person suspected to be a threat to the functional operation of the traffic light system in the state.
