By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has started plans to address the troubling traffic jams in the city.
The officials of the administration’s Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) led by the Director, Dr. Abdulateef Bello said it had commenced the special operation with the collaboration of other agencies and intensive security coverage provided by the Command and Control Centre.
He said the special operation entails, posting of Special enforcement squad, comprising of several personnel from different security agencies, to the most troubled spots, during the peak hours, to prevent pick and drop of passengers by motorists.
The Operations that commenced at the popular Area Bridge, would also be extended to other strategic locations in Abuja, according to DRTS.
The Director, while assuring that more motor parks would be created when the need arises, also called on motorists and residents to be law abiding and respect extant traffic rules.
Bello who blamed the troubling traffic challenges in Abuja to growing population, also noted Vehicle Inspection Officers have been trained to ease residents traffic stress.
He said: ” FCT is a work in progress, as the city evolves, motor parks are equally developed. For the time being, the population is already increasing. It is not about the size of the parks, but coordination.
“what we are doing is to realign the commercial buses and taxis back to existing back. As you can see, the Area one round about is now free and we will continue until we establish what we want.
However, the Secretary of FCTA Command and Control Unit, Peter Olumuji said that traffic management was very important to the Administration, and therefore calls for adequate security from DRTS officers who enforce traffic rules.
Olumuji noted that the Centre had to get involved by providing security cover, to avoid any of the traffic officer being attacked or molested by motorists.
According to him, FCT Minister was not happy that traffic officers on lawful duties, were sometimes attacked by lawless individuals.
