Abia to impound vehicles parked at unauthorized places
… demolish illegal structures
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has warned motorists who parked their vehicles at unauthorized places along the Umuahia axis of the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway to remove them before Thursday, August 17, 2023 or have them impounded.
The warning was issued by the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who also asked owners of all makeshift shops, shanties and other illegal shops and structures located at the affected areas to remove them.
Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, disclosed in a statement, that Governor Otti has directed that all Heavy Duty Trucks, Luxurious Buses, Mini Buses, Vans and other vehicles presently parked either by the roadside of the Highway or on the road median, starting from the NNPC Mega Station section of Nkwoegwu, down to Ubakala Junction, to henceforth leave the aforementioned areas and move into Ohiya Park.
Ekeoma said that the Governor also directed that all makeshift shops, shanties and other illegal shops and structures located at the affected areas should also be removed.
“This decision is to enable government decongest, clean-up, safeguard and beautify the state capital and its environs, while reducing the danger associated with illegal parking of vehicles by the roadside and illegal trading that put lives at risk,” Ekeoma said.
The Media Adviser said that all those affected by this directive have up to Wednesday, August 17, 2023, to comply.
“After August 17, Government shall impound any vehicle that is parked or being loaded at the aforementioned areas. Any shops standing on the affected areas will be demolished,” the statement added.
Recall that drivers of articulated vehicles, luxurious buses, buses and cars have turned the aforementioned areas, especially the Abia Tower axis of the expressway, into their parking lots and loading bays. This resulted in the springing up of makeshift shops along the road.
