Maritime Group Threatens Legal Action Against Enugu State Government Over Road Barricade
The Enugu State Maritime Professional has given the Peter Mbah administration and the Nigeria Correctional Service a 14-day ultimatum to remove a barricade installed along Old Park and Okpara Avenue or face legal action.
The group announced this on Monday in chat with newsmen, saying , it will pursue court action if the barricade is not removed within the deadline and urged the government and Correctional Service to prioritize solutions that secure both public assets and citizens’ constitutional movement rights.
Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick, President of the association and National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), said the barricade disrupts free movement, wastes commuters’ time, increases fuel consumption and creates severe traffic bottlenecks for residents and businesses.
Patrick said the group has repeatedly urged the governor to secure the correctional facility with personnel rather than by sealing off the road, and described the current measure as an excessive restriction on the public’s right of way.
“If they fail to remove this barricade within fourteen days, I will take legal action against the state government and Correctional Service,” he warned.
Highlighting specific impacts, Patrick said motorists and pedestrians bound for Ngene Evu, New Market, Coal Camp, the Central Police Station and the old UNTH now face lengthy detours via Ziks Avenue or Agbani Road, adding cost and delay to daily commutes.
He argued that security can be maintained without a total closure that denies citizens access to key routes through Old Park market and the GRA corridor.
While commending the Mbah administration’s infrastructure work in aviation and power, Patrick called for urgent intervention to restore free movement and protect residents’ rights.
He contrasted Enugu’s closure with practices in other cities, noting that prisons in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt do not require blanket road closures that disrupt surrounding communities.