The Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in Rivers State plans to establish a traffic agency to curb road violations and improve traffic management in the area.
The council chairman, Gift Worlu, disclosed this at the third quarterly meeting of the Obio/Akpor Business and Economic Forum (OBEF) on Monday.
OBEF is a non-political advocacy platform that promotes development and economic prosperity in the local government area.
Worlu lamented the negative impact of poor traffic management on productivity, pledging proactive measures to address the problem.
He said the council would strengthen collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to improve traffic management.
The chairman condemned the actions of residents who violate traffic rules through street trading and the unlawful blocking of roads.
“Being an indigene does not give anyone the power to trade along the road or block the roads during burials and other events.
“I have never approved closure of any road for burial or any ceremony since I became chairman, yet some people are still blocking our roads,” he said.
Worlu added that the council would enact laws to curb illegal roadblocks and restore order.
Also speaking, the OBEF Board Chairman, Igo Weli, urged the 15-member board to effectively steer the forum towards achieving its objectives.
Weli, who is also Vice-President, Relations and Sustainable Development, at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., described Obio/Akpor as a strategic area in Nigeria’s economy.
He said effective management of available opportunities could enable the area to compete favourably with Lagos in gross domestic product growth and other economic indicators.
Weli also encouraged youths in the area to explore agricultural opportunities to promote wealth creation and self-reliance.
He pledged to strengthen existing partnerships between Renaissance Africa Energy Company and OBEF, particularly in local content, contracts and skilled employment.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchuku, emphasised the need for cooperation between operating companies and host communities.
Onuchuku urged company executives to promote community inclusion, describing such cooperation as essential to business growth, security and stability.
Participants at the forum commended Worlu for his people-oriented leadership style.
