The Imo State Government has issued a one week notice effective from Monday July 22 that truck movements would restricted from 6am to 8pm daily.
The government through the General Manager, Imo State Environmental Transformation Commissioner (ENTRACO), Francis Chukwu issued the warning on Tuesday.
The restriction is coming on the heels of avoidable road accidents involving trucks with the latest in May where a truck crushed and killed about six persons at the porpular IMSU junction.
He said, “This is to notify the general public that Imo State Government has observed with dismay the flagrant disregard for traffic laws by some members of the public especially road side traders who display their wares on various roads within Owerri and its environs leading to the obstruction of vehicular and human movements as well as motorists who engage in indiscriminate wrong parking of their vehicles.
“It has also come to the notice of government that some miscreants have been masquerading themselves as Taskforce Teams of various Ministries, Department and Agencies including Imo ENTRACO and claiming to be tasked with the responsibility of enforcing both traffic and environmental laws.
“Given the current hardship in the country, Imo ENTRACO for sometime now has been subtle in its approach towards enforcing regulations on traffic and environmental laws in addition to taking actions on certain activities which the Commission is saddled with the responsibilities of enforcing.
“Nevertheless, let it be known that Imo ENTRACO under the leadership of Engr. Francis Chukwu is now positioned, focused and more responsive to enforce all the extant laws of the Commission with a view to restoring environmental sanity in Imo State especially in Owerri the State Capital.
“Thus, with insight to the most unfortunate accident that took place at IMSU junction few weeks back which claimed the lives of some Imolites and other avoidable incidents resulting from indiscriminate activities of Truck Operators and other road users who disobey traffic laws, Imo State Government through ENTRACO hereby issues a one week notice that effective from Monday 22nd July, 2024, Truck movement is totally restricted between 6AM to 8PM daily.”
The government said any defaulter would be prosecuted in line with the Imo State Law Number 3 of 2008 which established Imo ENTRACO.
It added, “For the avoidance of doubt, let all concerned know that Imo ENTRACO has set up a Special Taskforce to enforce all the laws pertaining to traffic and environmental sanity with a mandate to apprehend and prosecute defaulters, going forward.”