The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to a misleading publication in Punch newspaper of Monday, June 6, 2016, entitled “Enugu motorists lament as faulty traffic lights cause accidents” and credited to the Enugu correspondent of the media house, Mr. Ihuoma Chiedozie.
In the referenced publication the author among other false allegations, alleged that a major car crash on Uwani Street which involved two vehicles from opposite directions, during the weekend, was caused by the dysfunctional traffic control light system.
Ordinarily, the state government would have wished not to react to the said publication, but since it does not represent the true position of things concerning the ingenuity of the operation and maintenance of traffic control light system in the state since the inception of the present administration, the need to put the records straight becomes imperative.
- It is incorrect that some traffic control light system in Enugu metropolis are defective as was reported in the referenced publication, rather, the only traffic control light system which developed a minor error few days ago was the one at Presidential Road, Enugu by Rangers Avenue junction. The minor error encountered on the traffic control light system, which is a routine occurrence, has been rectified accordingly and no case of accident was recorded as a result of it, prior to its rectification.
- The accident that occurred at Uwani by Robinson street junction was not as a result of the malfunctioning of the traffic control light system. The accident in question occurred around 1 am on Saturday, when all the traffic control light system have been automatically switched to amber signs, in line with the rules of the regulatory system worldwide.
- Contrary to the report, the traffic control light system at the junction was in good state at the time the accident occurred. The accident occurred as a result of over speeding which the police confirmed and the vehicles of the victims are being detained at Uwani police station, Enugu, up till this moment for proper investigation.
- In view of the people-oriented programmes and policies of the present administration to better the lives of the people of Enugu State, one would have expected the author of the publication to verify his source of information and appreciate the efforts of the state government to maintain the operation of traffic control light system in the state despite the harsh economic realities in the country.
- The state government in furtherance of its commitment to free movement of vehicles and accident-free transportation system in the state, recently installed two traffic control light system at Nowas junction and Nike Lake Road junction, on the newly completed Nike Lake road, Enugu and is equally making concrete arrangements to install more on the roads.
- Consequently, the state government reaffirms its commitment to a functional traffic control light system in the state and therefore, calls on the public to disregard the said publication as it was meant to mislead.
Mr. Louis Amoke
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media
