Members of Nigerian Institute of Architects and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Rivers State Command, inspecting the unveiled Zebra-crossings symbol at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.
From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
In a bid to promote accident free society, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Rivers State Chapter, in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Rivers State Command, at the weekend unveiled Zebra-crossings at the popular Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.
The professional group declared that it is complementing the efforts of Governor Nyesom Wike, in securing lives of road users in the state.
Chairman of the Local Organising team of NIA, Tim Orji, stated that the project aimed at saving lives of pupils, students, staffers of the institution and government primary school, as well as motorists plying the busy Rumuola-Rumuokwuta road.
He said the group acknowledged the determination of the Rivers State government to sanitize Port Harcourt from illegal motor parks and make Rivers roads accessible and passable.
Orji decried indiscriminate parking of vehicles and abuse of Zebra-crossing signs by road users in the state, and called for concerted efforts to inculcate positive knowledge in the people.
He expressed: “It’s very unfortunate that in Rivers State, drivers even use Zebra-crossing as their park. It is unacceptable. This is what we think we can give out to the society.
“We, as members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Rivers State chapter, have decided to add value to what the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is doing.
“After working the roads, the next thing is to make sure that people are using the roads safely. When we do our work, we consider safety”, he emphasized.
The Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Rivers State Command, Route Commander Michael John, who participated in the unveiling of the Zebra-crossings, noted that Rivers motorists do not accord pedestrians the right of way.
He disclosed that any driver that knocks down any pedestrian on Zebra-crossing or any side of the road could be charged for attempted murder
“It is a serious offence because you are dealing with the life of the individual involved”.
“So, we are here today, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Architects, who has done a very laudable project to serve the motoring and general public within this axis, with the commissioning of three dimensional Zebra-crossing designed to control the excesses of drivers at Zebra-crossings”, John stated.
