Public safety: Otti orders Abia traffic agencies to extend operational hours to 10 p.m

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has extended the operational hours of the Abia State Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) and the Abia State Harmonised Taskforce to 10:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

The governor also directed the two agencies to deploy more personnel and resources along all major routes in the state to ensure that traffic offenders are appropriately dealt with, as stipulated by law.

Governor Otti gave the directive on Thursday at the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal, Umuahia, while unveiling the second batch of 20 electric buses for the state’s roads.

The governor, who warned road users against recklessness and impatience, said he would set up an independent team to strictly enforce the new traffic policy. He vowed that anyone who constitutes a danger on Abia roads would be dealt with ruthlessly.

“I will set up an independent team to monitor how strictly this directive is enforced with a view to determining the next line of action.

“May I say it one more time that nobody has any right to endanger the lives and property of others through acts of recklessness, impatience or poor judgement” he warned.

He further advised the drivers of the electric buses to operate in line with established standards and to avoid overloading the vehicles.

He expressed satisfaction that decency was returning to the Abia transport system with the commencement of operations at the Central Bus Terminal in Umuahia, adding that the electric buses were introduced to reduce environmental pollution caused by vehicle emissions and to provide a more economical means of transportation in the state.