The Anambra State Government has announced plans to amend the state’s traffic law to introduce stiffer penalties for motorists who engage in dangerous driving, as part of efforts to enhance road safety and protect lives.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, disclosed this while briefing journalists on resolutions reached at the sixth meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC).
According to Mefor, motorists caught driving against traffic or crossing dual carriageways to avoid designated U-turns will face hefty fines and be subjected to a Mental Status Examination (MSE) under the proposed amendment.
He explained that the measure is aimed at curbing reckless driving, improving compliance with traffic regulations and reducing road accidents across the state.
The council also reaffirmed its commitment to transparent governance and welcomed constructive public criticism. However, it condemned the spread of false information and defamatory content on social media, urging public officials affected by such publications to seek legal redress. Content creators were advised to distinguish between fair criticism and deliberate misinformation.
On environmental sustainability, Mefor said the council resolved to strengthen grassroots efforts following the recently declared state of emergency on the environment. Communities will be mobilised to tackle erosion and enforce compliance against practices such as indiscriminate refuse dumping in drainages, channeling runoff water onto roads and building on natural waterways.
He added that primary and secondary schools will play a key role in promoting environmental responsibility among young people.
The Executive Council also approved the standardisation and digitisation of motor parks across the state to improve transport services, noting that parks that fail to meet the prescribed standards within the approved grace period will be phased out.
In addition, the council reviewed the implementation of the Nigeria for Women Project, a Federal Government initiative supported by the World Bank, and adopted strategies to ensure that rural and peri-urban women in Anambra State fully benefit from the programme aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment.
