Yuletide Season: House of Reps calls for removal of checkpoints in South-East zone

The House of Representatives calls on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remove the multiple checkpoints from the roads linking the South-East geopolitical zone with immediate effect in Lagos and Abuja.

At the plenary on Thursday, the House particularly said the removal is to “facilitate the free flow of traffic, relieve the pains and hardship of the motorist and other road users travelling to and from the South-East region, especially during this festive period.”

The House also asked the police and other agencies to immediately disband all checkpoints at the Head Bridge while mandating the Federal Road Safety Corps to deploy men and materials to ensure free flow of traffic between Asaba (in Delta State) and Onitsha (in Anambra State).

The lawmakers further urged the agencies to collaborate to discharge their responsibilities and “avoid dissipation of resources as exemplified by the multiple checkpoints on the roads, especially those leading to and from the South-East region.”

In addition, the parliament directed the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to “remove all abandoned makeshift roadblocks used as checkpoints and debris from the roads and highways to facilitate the free flow of traffic; on these roads.”

Furthermore, the House called on the FRSC to position ambulances at major intersections along the roads and highways, especially during this festive season, to provide first aid to accident victims and evacuate them to the hospitals.

These resolutions were sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Idemili-North/Idemili-South Federal Constituency in Anambra at the House, Obinna Chidoka, titled ‘Motion for the Disbandment on Multiple Security Checkpoints on Roads Leading to the South-East Region.’

Suzan O./Punch