By Chinedum Treasure
Youths of Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State have expressed deep concern over the growing menace of reckless commercial motorcyclists, warning that their activities are worsening traffic congestion and endangering lives.
The youths identified the busy Holy Ghost/Okpara Avenue axis as one of the worst-hit areas, calling on government authorities to strengthen regulation and enforcement to restore order and improve public safety.
The concerns were raised during the Quarterly Youth–Local Government Dialogue Session convened by the Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) under its “Youth to Action Project.”
Officials Advocate Compliance, Public Sensitisation
Speaking at the event, a local government official, Dr. Sebastian Okafor, said effective regulation of commercial motorcycle operators requires a combination of strict enforcement and sustained public awareness.
Okafor, a media consultant who facilitated the dialogue, noted that the local government had already created designated spaces for road transport operators to encourage orderly operations.
He explained, however, that infrastructure alone would not solve the problem without compliance from transport operators and support from the public.
According to him, continuous sensitisation campaigns are necessary to educate operators on the importance of using designated loading and parking areas, while urging all stakeholders to collaborate in reducing traffic congestion.
Another local government official, Izuchukwu Okeke, also underscored the need for stronger regulation of commercial motorcycle riders and improved traffic control measures.
Waste Management Tops Youths’ Concerns
Beyond transportation, participants also highlighted the poor state of waste management within the council area.
One of the participants, Chinenye Emmanuella, lamented the inadequacy of waste disposal systems, describing the situation as a major contributor to poor sanitation and environmental degradation.
Responding, a member of the National Young Professional Forum, Uchenna Igboeme, advised residents to channel complaints directly to the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) for prompt intervention.
He urged community members to keep emergency and service contact details of relevant agencies for quick reporting.
“Environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility between government and citizens. Individuals and households must contribute to maintaining clean surroundings and proper waste disposal practices,” he said.
Youths Urged to Become Agents of Change
Igboeme encouraged young people to become active citizens by taking ownership of issues affecting their communities and engaging constructively with relevant authorities.
He urged them to remain informed about governance, question issues affecting their communities, and use appropriate channels to express their concerns.
“We must participate actively in community development initiatives, hold leaders accountable while contributing positively to solutions,” he added.
CATYCOI Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Participation
Earlier, Executive Director of CATYCOI, Nonso Orakwe, said the dialogue was part of the organisation’s commitment to strengthening youth participation in governance and community development.
According to him, the session was designed to provide a platform for young people to interact directly with local government officials, raise community concerns, seek clarification on government actions and propose practical solutions.
He explained that the initiative also aims to promote accountability, improve government responsiveness and encourage active citizenship among youths.
Direct Communication Channels Established
As part of the engagement, contact information for ESWAMA officials was shared with participants to improve reporting of waste management issues and ensure timely follow-up.
Dr. Sebastian Okafor also shared his personal contact details with youth representatives to provide a direct channel for reporting community concerns and obtaining guidance on appropriate procedures for resolving them.
Participants left the session with a better understanding of government interventions in transportation and environmental management, while commitments were secured from relevant authorities to improve responsiveness to community concerns.
Tags: Enugu, Youth Development, Commercial Motorcyclists, Traffic Management, CATYCOI, ESWAMA
