The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other sister agencies, has commenced a sustained special enforcement operation against traffic light violations, driving against traffic and other road offences across Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, disclosed this on Thursday during a special joint intervention press conference in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
The Secretary who said that Taskforce to that effect will start patrol and arrest perpetrators added that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
Elechi said the enforcement exercise was necessitated by increasing disregard for traffic rules by some motorists, particularly following the expansion of the FCT road network under the urban renewal programme of the administration of the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
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He said the FCTA was particularly pleased with the collaboration with the FCT Sector Command of the FRSC and other relevant agencies, describing the initiative as a major step towards restoring sanity to the territory’s traffic management system.
“We are extremely happy to have this special collaboration with the Sector Command of the FCT. I think this is the first time that we’re having this kind of collaboration,” Elechi said.
He added that the joint efforts of the FCT Security Department, Traffic Control Department, FRSC and other agencies would make the future of traffic management in Abuja brighter.
According to him, the FCT Administration’s massive urban renewal programme, which includes the expansion of existing road networks and construction of new roads, has improved mobility and connectivity but also created new traffic management challenges.
“With some drivers taking advantage of the improved road infrastructure to disregard traffic rules and regulations,” he said.
Elechi listed the major targets of the enforcement exercise to include disregard for traffic lights and other traffic control devices, route violations and unauthorised use of restricted routes, including driving against traffic, illegal parking on major roads and at junctions, under bridges and on pedestrian crossings.
He warned motorists and commercial transport operators to obey traffic rules, use designated routes and park only in approved areas.
The Mandate Secretary said the exercise would be sustained, stressing that apprehended offenders would face appropriate sanctions under relevant national and FCT traffic regulations.
He said the enforcement would also include mandatory medical and psychological evaluation where applicable, in line with the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and the FCT Road Traffic Regulations.
“Offenders will have to face the full weight of the law when they involve in the dangerous exercise of driving against traffic or breaking traffic lights,” Elechi said.
He, however, stressed that the exercise was not intended to harass law-abiding motorists but to promote safer roads, smoother traffic flow and protect lives and property.
Making his remarks, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, FCT Command, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, said the command was concerned about the rising cases of excessive overloading, traffic light violations, route violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking.
Iliyasu said the offences contributed significantly to traffic congestion, obstructed the free movement of vehicles and endangered the lives and property of road users.
He said the situation required sustained enforcement, public enlightenment and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
The FRSC Sector Commander disclosed that offenders apprehended for applicable offences, particularly excessive overloading, traffic light violations and route violations, including driving against traffic, would henceforth undergo prescribed medical and psychological evaluation before prosecution.
He cited Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012, which, according to him, mandates persons suspected of committing applicable offences to undergo medical and psychological evaluation at an approved government hospital before prosecution at their own expense.
Iliyasu said the measure was aimed at addressing dangerous driving behaviour and promoting responsible road use, insisting that it was not designed to intimidate or harass members of the public.
He urged motorists to obey traffic lights, road signs and markings, refrain from overloading vehicles, avoid driving against traffic and use only authorised routes.
He also advised road users to avoid indiscriminate parking and activities that obstruct traffic flow, while using designated motor parks, bus stops and approved loading and dropping points.
The FRSC commander further urged motorists to comply with directives issued by accredited traffic management and enforcement personnel and exercise patience, discipline and courtesy, particularly during peak traffic periods.
“Always remember that time saved by risking a life is not worth it,” he cautioned.
Iliyasu assured residents that the FRSC FCT Sector Command would continue to adopt a coordinated approach involving enforcement, public education, stakeholder engagement, engineering interventions and inter-agency collaboration to improve road safety and traffic management in Abuja.
“Our message is simple: obey traffic regulations, respect other road users, and make safety a personal responsibility,” he said.
The joint enforcement exercise, the officials said, is expected to continue across strategic locations in the FCT as the authorities intensify efforts to reduce traffic violations, improve vehicular movement and safeguard lives and property.
