Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has ordered the indefinite
extension of the one-month ban on the collection of fines for traffic offences
by officials of government in the state.
A statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media,
Mr. Louis Amoke, stated that the governor’s directive was contained in a communiqué
at the end of the State Executive Council meeting of October 30, 2015 which was
presented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele.
The statement disclosed that the governor opted for the extension
to enable the state more time to conclude its plans to streamline the
activities of enforcers of traffic laws in the state as well understudy the
models of traffic operations in Lagos state and other state across the country
for a comprehensive approach towards innovative regulatory measures that would guarantee
peace and give the people a sense of belonging. The earlier ban expired at the
end of October; hence the directive to extend it indefinitely.
It would be recalled that Governor Ugwuanyi in a swift response
to the persistent complaints of extortion, undue hardship and incessant harassments,
road users as well as visitors to the state were subjected to by individuals in
the guise of enforcement of traffic laws, early last month, ordered the
immediate suspension of the collection of fines for traffic offences in Enugu
Capital Territory, for a period of one month.
The governor stated that such practices were inimical to his
administration’s efforts to sustain the peaceful and serene environment of the
state and his promise to provide good governance to the people of the state and
make their lives better.
He frowned at the N25,000 fine being collected as punishment
for a traffic offence, stressing that “a situation where for example, a civil
servant who may be earning about N25,000 a month, is asked to pay the same
amount as punishment for a traffic offence” was totally unacceptable.
The statement further noted that the governor was committed
to the full implementation of the directive and a reform programme that would
guarantee a free accident and orderly transportation system in the state.
