Kehinde Fajobi
Edo State’s Public Response Safety Team Coordinator, Kelly Okungbowa, announced Thursday that a mobile court will be established to prosecute traffic offenders in the state.
Speaking after the governor launched the team, Okungbowa revealed that those found guilty would face community service, following a directive from Governor Monday Okpehbolo that no one should be imprisoned at this stage.
The mobile court is part of efforts to address frequent traffic gridlocks in Benin City, especially around King Square and other busy intersections. Okungbowa noted that issues such as illegal parking, passenger pick-ups, and street trading contribute to the congestion.
“We are here to clear Ring Road and all the streets around King Square of illegal street trading and wrongful parking, which lead to traffic gridlock around the city centre,” he explained.
The team is also on a sensitisation tour to inform the public about the initiative.
“The governor has introduced the Public Response Safety Team, and our role is to clear the city centre and ensure that traders on the streets and walkways, market women, and drivers who park or trade indiscriminately are held accountable to ensure a free flow of traffic,” Okungbowa added.
He warned bus and taxi drivers, market women, and street traders to stop obstructing traffic.
“We have not yet started arresting offenders, but we have embarked on sensitisation to inform the public that the Edo State Government will no longer tolerate illegal street trading, indiscriminate parking, and passenger pickups that obstruct traffic,” he stated.