By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has deployed a special enforcement team to the newly constructed Nwagu Agulu–Nnewi Dual Carriageway to curb the persistent and dangerous practice of one-way driving by some motorists along the route.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARTMA, Engr. Okonkwo Emeka-Konti (Konti Komplete) disclosed the development in a public notice personally issued and made available to newsmen on Sunday, January 18.
In the statement, the ARTMA Boss expressed serious concern over the increasing number of road crashes recorded on the dual carriageway in recent weeks, particularly around Nkpuota Junction, attributing the accidents largely to reckless motorists who deliberately drive against traffic.
The agency explained that instead of using the designated U-turns provided along the road, some drivers choose to drive less than 200 metres against oncoming traffic, a practice ARTMA described as illegal, reckless and life-threatening to both the offenders and other road users.
ARTMA warned that the unlawful act must stop immediately, stressing that the agency would no longer tolerate any form of one-way driving on the route.
To enforce compliance, the agency announced that a special enforcement team has been stationed along the Nwagu Agulu–Nnewi corridor to monitor traffic and apprehend offenders.
According to the ARTMA MD, any vehicle caught henceforth driving against traffic would be impounded and towed to the ARTMA Base in Awka, where it would be detained for a period of one month, in addition to other penalties as provided by law.
Engr. Emeka-Konti further urged motorists to support the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, noting that the state government has completed over 900 kilometres of roads in less than four years.
He emphasized that the roads constructed by the Soludo administration are smooth, well-designed and properly marked, leaving motorists with no justification whatsoever for engaging in dangerous driving practices such as one-way driving.
ARTMA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring road safety across Anambra State, while also calling on motorists to obey traffic rules, use designated U-turns, and drive responsibly in order to protect lives and property.
The agency reiterated that the ongoing enforcement aligns with the state government’s broader agenda of promoting orderliness, safety and responsible road usage across the state.
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