The Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has scaled up operations across Onitsha as part of its readiness plan for the heavy vehicular and human movement expected during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
ARTMA led by its Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo, carried out early December assessments and enforcement activities across major roads to ensure traffic flows smoothly throughout the festive season.
According to Mr. Okonkwo, a central part of the agency’s preparation is the sensitization of commercial drivers—particularly bus operators and Keke riders—on proper parking habits, designated loading and offloading points, and the need to keep all road lanes free from obstruction as ARTMA has redirected these operators into approved parks, clearing the roadsides of indiscriminate parking that triggers gridlock in the Onitsha metropolitan area.
The ARTMA boss noted that the initiative is strengthened by a close partnership with the Onitsha North Local Government and other councils, ensuring that both agencies maintain continuous monitoring of busy corridors to prevent the road lockdowns that usually accompany festive shopping and travel.
For the Chairman of Onitsha North, Chief Tony Nweze-Nwora, the combined efforts of ARTMA and the local government have positioned Onitsha North as the safest council area in the state and assured residents that every necessary measure is in place to minimize congestion and ensure the seamless movement of people and goods.
ANN gathered that the operations covered several high-pressure corridors including Bridge Head, Ogbo-Awgwu, Tanzan Junction, Owerri Road, Obodoukwu Road by Zenith Bank, Ogbaru Main Market, Harbour Industrial Layout by Atani Road, DMGS Road, and Upper New Market Road, among others.
These locations receive massive commercial traffic during the yuletide, making them priority areas in ARTMA’s festive season strategy.
