The Abia State Harmonized Taskforce has issued a final warning against the use of Brass Junction in Aba for concerts, shows, and other commercial activities, declaring that the busy intersection is not an event centre.
The warning followed an incident on Sunday when officials discovered individuals mounting a sound system on the road median at Brass Junction in preparation for a concert.
According to the Taskforce spokesperson, Miracle Chukwunenye, the development was first reported by the Area Coordinator of the Aba Zone of the Taskforce and former Aba South Mayor, Uche Wogu, who noticed the activity while driving through the junction.
Officials, including Aba North Mayor, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Jane Awa, later arrived at the scene to halt the planned event.
The organisers claimed they obtained approval from Aba North Local Government, but investigations showed the document presented was invalid. The mayor subsequently confirmed that no permission had been granted.
Despite the violation, authorities directed the organisers to dismantle their equipment and relocate to an approved venue rather than face immediate penalties.
Chukwunenye stressed that the location serves a specific urban function.
“That location was purposefully designed for traffic direction and aesthetic beautification, not for events.”
He further warned that the space would no longer be tolerated for private activities.
“Brass Junction will no longer be used for any form of event, show, drama, or commercial activity of any kind.”
Responding to claims that similar programmes had previously taken place at the junction, he clarified that such occurrences would no longer be permitted except for officially sanctioned government events.
The Taskforce warned that stricter action would follow any future violations.
“All equipment involved will be impounded, and appropriate penalties enforced for defiance of lawful directives,” the spokesperson said.
Authorities urged event organisers to make use of designated event centres across Aba, noting that gatherings at busy traffic intersections endanger public safety and obstruct traffic flow.
Reaffirming the government’s urban renewal drive, Chukwunenye concluded, “Abia is rising. Aba is rising. We will not allow a few individuals who refuse to evolve with this new order to drag us back into the years of neglect and backwardness.”