The Enugu government has suspended transport enforcement activities following the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association conference, which will be held in Enugu from August 25 to 29.

The directive was announced in a statement signed by transport commissioner Obi Ozor on Thursday.

He said, “With immediate effect, all transport-related enforcement activities are suspended in Enugu until Monday, September 1.

“This moratorium is to ensure seamless mobility and zero friction during the ongoing NBA Annual General Conference movements. This also applies to all Ministry of Transport enforcement contract operations.”

Mr Ozor said that their focus and primary responsibility should be on traffic management within the period.

According to him, with over 20,000 visitors expected in the city, it is crucial to maintain a smooth traffic flow and prevent congestion around key locations, particularly the International Conference Centre, adjoining routes, and the key clusters.

“Officers are to direct traffic aggressively and proactively, ensuring orderliness across major junctions, terminals, and access points. All field staff must caution motorists professionally where necessary, without harassment or intimidation. Any officer, unit, or contractor found wanting will face severe sanctions, including summary removal from post, contract termination, and loss of job,” he stressed.

He, however, warned them to stand down all non-emergency enforcement activities with the exception of safety, critical, and emergency responses, such as accidents, life-threatening hazards, and active traffic incidents.

The commissioner added that such actions must be logged and reported to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

“We also appeal to our transport partners in the Council Area and the Board, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, to follow suit by ensuring orderliness and supporting with temporary parking spaces throughout this period,” Mr Ozor said.

Meanwhile, the ministry had earlier announced restrictions on vehicular movements to designated routes ahead of the conference.

The ministry ordered Keke riders, commercial buses, and private vehicles to avoid certain restricted entry points during the week-long event to ensure smooth traffic management and security.

It listed the non-restricted areas as Presidential Road till First Bank
Nkpokiti Junction, MSP, Uwani, Timber, Maryland, ESBS, Monkey Junction, ESBS, Lomalinda, Agric Bank, Ike Ekweremadu Agric Bank, Independence Layout Police Station.

Others were Bisalla Road, Rangers Avenue Junction, Roban Stores Junction, Presidential Road, House of Assembly Quarters Road, Ogui Road, Obiagu Road, New Haven, Ogui Road, Abakaliki Road, Zik Avenue, and Agbani Road.

According to the ministry, the prohibited routes are Sullivan Junction/Roban, Niger Foundation Junction, Rangers Avenue, Cubana Junction by Rangers Avenue, Nkpokiti Junction by Car Wash, IMT by SPAR Junction, ESBS Junction, Agric Bank Junction, and Toscana Junction.

The government advised motorists to plan their movements accordingly and adhere strictly to traffic guidelines during the conference period.

It explained that the measures were temporarily aimed at ensuring the success of the NBA National Conference while minimising inconvenience to road users.

(NAN)