By: Amaka Madu
The Anambra State government has relocated all the commercial vehicles and tricycles that cluster the popular Aroma Junction in Awka,the state capital,to the newly built Solution Hub Terminal in front the Anambra State Broadcasting Service(ABS). Speaking to our correspondent in Awka during enforcement of the relocation order,the Managing Director and CEO of Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA),Engr Emeka Okonkwo,said it was part of the present administration’s Urban Regeneration plan which comprises clean and green cities.The ARTMA boss who expressed dissatisfaction with the recklessness of commercial drivers stated that the relocation was aimed at bringing and sustaining orderliness at Aroma Junction which serves as a major landmark and entrance into the Judiciary Boulevard in Awka.
While commending the state Governor,Prof Charles Soludo for building the terminal for buses and tricycles,Engr Okonkwo noted that the park will handle the large volume of commercial vehicles that ply the area as well as those on interstate journeys.He said the park has a drive through section for bus drivers who drop and pick passengers at the popular junction.Engr Okonkwo who indicated the state government’s plans to replicate such facility in other parts of the state said his Agency has been able to bring orderliness to Onitsha area as well as the Regina Caeli junction axis of the Awka Onitsha expressway where the tricycles have been confined to a park there.He said that plans are on to ensure that the present chaotic situation at the Regina Caeli junction caused by commercial buses becomes a thing of the past while appealing to motorists plying the double laned Unizik junction/Okpuno/Isu Aniocha road under construction to drive with caution and avoid creating gridlock a the Goodwill Junction axis of the road.He noted that his men are constantly on duty to manage traffic in the area.
The ARTMA MD who thanked the state Governor,Prof Charles Soludo for giving the agency great support support indicated the state government’s plans to recruit more personnel to boost traffic management in the state.
Also speaking,the General Manager of ARTMA,Chidi Umezinwa said the officers and men of the agency have been undergoing regular trainings and retrainings to keep them abreast with international best practices in traffic management.He said the agency has seamless working relationship with commercial vehicles drivers who were generally seen as difficult set of people.
A commercial driver, Ikechukwu okoye thanked the Anambra State government for building the park for them while promising to replicate the gesture by obedience to extant traffic laws in the area.