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| Hon Eric Akpan Presenting his motion |
The campaign is to be spearheaded by the Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM), with aims to educate citizens, vehicle owners, and drivers about the potential dangers of leaving breakdown vehicles on roads and conducting repairs in the middle of thoroughfares.
The impetus for these resolutions came from a motion presented by the Member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Titled "The Indiscriminate Abandonment of Breakdown Vehicles in Akwa Ibom State and Carrying out of Repairs on the Middle of Roads: A Call for Urgent Action."
The motion highlighted the pressing need to address this issue that has been causing disruptions and safety concerns for both commuters and pedestrians.
As part of the resolutions, the House called on the Federal Road Safety and other law enforcement agencies to ramp up their efforts in enforcing existing traffic regulations that explicitly forbid the reckless abandonment of vehicles on roads and the unauthorized as well as indiscriminate performance of repairs of vehicles on roads.
To ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent further obstructions, it was also emphasized that vehicle repairs should be carried out solely in authorized locations such as designated mechanic workshops or service centers.
Moreover, the House proposed that strict penalties should be imposed on individuals or vehicle owners found guilty of abandoning their vehicles on the road or conducting unauthorized repairs. These penalties would be in accordance with the existing traffic regulations, serving as a deterrent to discourage such behaviour in the future.
With these resolutions in place, it is expected that the Akwa Ibom State Government will take swift action in launching the public awareness campaign and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to implement the necessary measures.
While moving the motion, Hon. Akpan, who was highly emotional, recalled that: "It is pathetic that due to indiscriminate abandonment of vehicles on the roads, I lost a very good friend and a brother to my predecessor, Mr. Mfon Udoh, who ramped into a stationery trailer upon his return from a wake keeping.
"Again, a couple who was meant to wed on a Saturday some years ago, ramped into a stationing vehicle along Utang Street, they lost their lives and the wedding didn't hold as a result a break of traffic law".
"Also, currently we have abandoned Vehicles: Along Abak Road by mechanic village, and its environs, Heavy duties along Calabar Itu Highway, Aka Nung Udoe Road, Uyo Ikot Ekpene Road, etc", the member lamented.
Speaking in support of the motion, the members representing Etim Ekpo/ Ika - Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, Hon. Moses Essien - Ibiono Ibom, and Hon. Itoro Etim - Uruan, commended Hon. Eric Akpan for coming up with the motion and called for urgent action for the safety of the lives of road users in the state.
The House on its ruling through the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong mandated the Chairman House Committee on Transport to communicate the resolutions of the House to Federal Road Safety and Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Transport and other relevant stakeholders for immediate action.
This move is seen as a significant step towards fostering safer road environments, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting responsible vehicle ownership within the state.
Media Unit
Office of the Member
Nsit Ibom State Constituency
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