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Ukorebi Esien | 25th July, 2023
CALABAR – The Cross River State House of Assembly is taking action to address the issue of tanker drivers parking on the Calabar Mutala Muhammed Highway, which has become a problem for both motorists and residents in the area. During a recent session, a motion was presented by Hon. Stanley Nsemo, representing Calabar Municipality, highlighting the negative impacts of this practice.
According to Nsemo, the indiscriminate parking of trucks along the highway poses risks to road users and nearby residents. If any accidents were to occur, the potential loss of lives and property would be immeasurable. Additionally, this behavior tarnishes the image of Calabar, which prides itself as Nigeria’s cleanest and greenest capital city.
Nsemo pointed out that parking trucks on the Murtala Mohammed Highway goes against the State’s Urban Development Law and the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency Law. He also mentioned that a designated Park for truck drivers had been established in the past at Esuk-Utan, near the NNPC, but was later relocated to Lemna by the Northwest Filling Station due to space limitations. Despite the availability of this designated Park, tanker drivers continue to park along the highway, leading to traffic congestion and accidents.
As a result, the House of Assembly supported the motion presented by Hon. Nsemo and Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, with two proposed actions. Firstly, the State Government should urgently stop the indiscriminate parking of trucks along the Murtala Mohammed Highway and enforce the use of the designated Park at Lemna. Secondly, they should prioritize the repair and improvement of the designated Park, which is currently in poor condition.
Speaking about the issue, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta emphasized that the tanker drivers’ behavior is not only risky but also violates the Cross River State Traffic Management and Regulatory Law LAW NO.2, which was amended in 2020 to provide specific parks for all commercial vehicles, including tanker drivers. He urged the drivers to comply with the law and move their vehicles to the designated Park at Lemna, warning that failing to do so would result in legal consequences according to the Cross River Traffic Management and Regulatory Laws
