In a proactive move to ease the annual traffic congestion associated with the Yuletide season, the Councillor representing Obollo Afor Ward, Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odo, has deployed a community-based Traffic Volunteer Team to support security agencies in managing vehicular movement across the town.
Dr. Odo said the initiative was part of his commitment to responsible and people-oriented leadership, explaining that the volunteer team—made up of able-bodied young men and women—was mobilised to assist the police and road safety officials in controlling the heavy traffic generated by vehicles travelling from the North through Obollo Afor to other parts of the South-East.
“As part of our efforts to provide leadership that takes responsibility, I launched a Traffic Volunteer Team led by able-bodied young men and women,” he said. “This team volunteered to help the police and road safety in managing the heavy traffic congestion occasioned by the large number of vehicles that come down from the North through Obollo Afor to other Eastern parts.”
The councillor disclosed that the volunteers were formally introduced to relevant security agencies in the area to ensure coordination and effectiveness.
“I took time to take the team around and familiarise them with the Udenu Divisional Police Officer, Road Safety, and other security agencies,” Dr. Odo said. “We had robust discussions and agreed on strategies on how to help during this season.”
He noted that Obollo Afor usually experiences intense traffic congestion between December 25 and the first week of January, particularly along the boundary with Inyi Enugu Ezike, through New Road, Enugu Ezike Junction, and down to the Trailer Park.
“Those who know Obollo Afor very well understand the suffering motorists go through during this period,” he said. “In some cases, motorists can be stuck in traffic for two hours or more.”
According to Dr. Odo, the strength of the Traffic Volunteer Team lies in its local knowledge of the area, which enables members to quickly redirect motorists and decongest gridlocked points.
“The work of the Traffic Volunteer Team is difficult but straightforward because it is our town,” he explained. “We know how to guide motorists through alternative routes to unlock traffic bottlenecks.”
He added that the volunteers would man identified flashpoints throughout the festive period and ensure strict compliance with traffic rules, in collaboration with security agencies.
Dr. Odo expressed gratitude to the volunteers for their selfless service, describing their involvement as a timely sacrifice for the good of the community.
“I wish to use this opportunity to thank our people who volunteered for this enormous task at such a time,” he said. “Special thanks to Udochukwu Ezeme Walaga, Dondo Junior, Kelechi, the Ward Youth Leader, Senator, Ada Udenu, and Ikenna Solomon for agreeing to lead this team.”
He concluded by appreciating residents for their cooperation and extending his compliments of the season to the people of Obollo Afor.
