Abba – Eku Onyeka FCT
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello toured Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway, Abuja and directed that immediate measures be taken to ensure the environmental sanitation and cleanliness, enforcement of traffic regulations and removal of illegal structures along the entire road corridor along Airport Road, according to recent press release from the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), FCT Administration (FCTA), Anthony Ogunleye.
The minister said that the Airport was quite strategic, saying that it is the gateway to the city and therefore akin to the front entrance to a home which must be kept clean and aesthetically appealing at all times.
Malam Bello also directed that petty traders, artisans and all others carrying out business activities under the high tension electricity cables to immediately vacate the area for the sake of their health and conduct their business activities within the confines of the communities.
Ordering that all illegal structures along the road be removed, he directed that officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) and other security agencies ensure compliance of traffic regulations by road users at all times.
Noting that the penchant by some road users to drive against the traffic along the airport road, as well as their actions put the lives of other road users at risk, he pointed out to the security agencies the activities of commercial tricycle (Keke) and motorcycle (okada) operators who have been banned from operating along the expressway and directed that they be made to meet the prescribed penalties. He pledged to restore the beauty of the Airport Road which he said had been degraded largely due to urbanization and the large influx of people into the FCT.
The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (Hon. Adamu Candido also pledged to complement the efforts of the FCTA in effecting the measures necessary for maintaining the aesthetic value of the road.
The Sapeyi of Garki Chiefdom, Chief Usman Ngakupi also pledged to get the cooperation of his subjects and ensure that they comply with all the traffic and environmental regulations along the airport road.