NURTW Moves Against Illegal Motor Parking, Enacts Mobile Court For Traffic Defaulters In Imo
Dan Opara
As part of ensuring sanity and decorum amongst road users, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in collaboration with the operators of Imo State Waste Management Agency, ISWAMA, with the leadership of the Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, in Imo State, have jointly descended into action with the blueprint of Mobile Court against traffic laws so as to curtail road accident during and after the 2021 Xmas period.
The use of Mobile Court is targeted at checkmating traffic law(s) offenders, illegal motor parking, loading and off-loading of goods, products by commercial drivers operating within the Owerri Metropolis.
Speaking shortly after the commencement of the inaugural mobile courts’ proceedings last Thursday, Dec.9th, 2021, at Ama-JK/Douglas Road Owerri, Judge, His Lordship A.C. Igwe, said, ” I was designated to ensure sanity on the roads in Owerri Metropolis. Justice shall be always be done”.
According to Judge, “Our duties include: To make sure that all the road traffic laws are been adhered to by all and sundry who are driving. To ensure that all the commercial vehicle operators obey the laws as enshrined by law”.
The Public Officer, Igwe, whose duty was to administer the law, especially by presiding over trials warned commercial drivers and private ones to always obey road signs, insisted that offenders must strictly face the wraths of the law.
Justice Igwe, while rendering judgments as designated against road traffic offenders at Ama-JK/ Douglas, expressively passed verdicts to some roads users who offended, even as many victims were freed shortly after payment of stipulated fines as penalties.
His Lordship, Igwe, therefore, decided the fates of some traffic laws offenders and called on them for enlightenment and reorientation, even as they were exchanged pleasantries amidst the excitement.
“Our duty is to make sure that the rules and regulations on road users are respected and obeyed”, Igwe submitted.
Adding his voice, the Prosecutor, ISWAMA/ENTRACO/NURTW, Deacon C.C. Nwachinaemere, expressed satisfaction with the official inaugural outing of the Mobile Court, stated that that activity, if sustained, would foster rapid development and enhance sanity on the roads in Imo State.
Prosecutor Nwachinaemere, said,”We have commenced trial against traffic defaulters, illegal motor parking, loading and off-loading, parking of vehicles in Imo State, especially in Owerri Metropolis.
“When you look at the entire state, you will notice that commuters, commercial vehicles, and private car owners do not obey traffics. Many of the drivers don’t have respect. They drove without adhering to traffic laws and road signs that most often causes incessant road accidents which led to deaths of so many innocent persons “, he frowned.
“They commit a whole lot of traffic crime with impunity. Their reckless styles of driving often led to accidents and mishaps. They caused traffic jams on the road not minding the effects. Therefore, we are on the mandate to apply the use Mobile Court against offenders”, Nwachinaemere expressed.
The Prosecutor, however, disclosed that the activities of the Mobile Courts would be sitting in Owerri Metropolis twice in a week, precisely on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Deacon Nwachinaemere, in his words, advised road users to always respect traffic laws to avoid being penalized by the Mobile Courts.
Meanwhile, the Imo NURTW State Chairman,Hon.Comr.Samuel Udeh (Ezeumuokorobia), commended the commencement of the Mobile Court but discouraged the lackadaisical attitudes of some commercial drivers operating in Owerri Metropolis on their inability to obey road signs.
Udeh, therefore, advised all road users, especially those in Owerri to support the union in the fight against insecurity, unsafe driving and ensure sanity as users of the roads.
