Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State in his crusade to rid the state of crime has ordered immediate removal of parked vehicles from all roads in the urban centres and dismantling of political billboards.

The special task force set up by the governor on the issue has immediately swung into action in the capital city, Awka, as well as in Nnewi and Onitsha.

Amongst the task force are members of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the police and Anambra State Traffic Agency (ASTA). The task force has deployed heavy trucks to the cities, while the Anambra State Signage Agency has deployed its workers to begin the dismantling of the billboards.

On his part, the FRSC State Sector Commander, Mr. Hygenius Omeje, has warned that any impounded vehicle that stays for six months without the owner claiming it, would be disposed of.

“The highways are not parking yard. We are going to place notifications and already we have notified some individuals in the transport business in the state on what we plan to do. It is improper for the high ways to be littered with broken vehicles whether accidental vehicles or parked ones,” Omeje said.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Mr. E.N.C. Ogbaji, who represented the Commissioner for Transport, Chief Chuma Mbonu, said the exercise would last for one month.

According to him, the aim is to give Anambra State a look everybody would be proud of as directed by the governor and to ensure that traffic flows well in the state.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano at his desk.