By Ralph Christopher
Following the growing traffic infractions on Nigerian roads, the Nigerian Army has expressed willingness to assist road traffic enforcers curb the menace and bring back sanity on our roads.
During a visit to the Mabushi headquarters of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), the Director, Alh. Wadata Aliyu Bodinga, told the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Ayuba Hamman, that the operations of commercial motorcycles and Tri-cycles within the city has been a major challenge despite the efforts of his men and other paramilitary bodies involved in traffic management to enforce the ban, according to Kalu Emetu, Public Relations Officer, DTRS, in a statement.
He also said the unbridled “driving against traffic” is another major challenge to the officials of his directorate as it poses a great danger to innocent road users.
The Director pointed fingers on the commercial motorcycle riders, Knee and commercial vehicle drivers as major culprits, describing the act as suicidal.
The Director further explained the efforts being made like the group registration of tricycles with side numbers to service particular estates and ensuring that commercial motorcycles restrict their trade to the satellite towns only.
The Director noted that every crime in the territory is linked to the unpainted taxis plying the city as well as unregistered tricycles in different locations saying, that efforts are being made to have information on operators of such vehicles on the directorate’s database, just as they are to be given identification colours and side numbers.
Earlier in his speech, the Garrison Commander, Gen. Hamman, said he came with his team to acquaint themselves with his area of responsibility as he assumed duty as the Commander.
He assured the FCT -VIO and the entire FCT Administration, of his willingness to assist in any area that will enhance discipline.
The Commander whose curriculum vitae explained his depth of experience as a Provost, spoke glowingly on discipline and its implications in nation building, assuring that his doors are always open for consultations.
Gen. Hamman recounted his personal experiences in the course of his assignments that took him to different parts of the world where people obey traffic regulations without any form of coercion, and reasoned that it will not be out of place for Nigerian motorists to imbibe the same culture and ensure sanity on our roads
The Army General is of the view that every action taken against any traffic offender should be such that will serve as deterrent, citing some countries that have used it to instil discipline on their roads and urged his host to consider it as an option, if Nigeria must make any headway in its fight against road indiscipline.
