By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja
As parts efforts to ensure free flow of traffic on Abuja roads, the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DTRS) on Thursday raided illegal motor parks and garages along corridors of both sides of Area 1 roundabout through Area 3 junction and Apo roundabout impounding vehicles, motorcycles and tricycle in the process.
Together with the FCTA Command and Control Task Team on city Sanitation and led by Shehu Adams, officials of DRTS breezed to the areas at about 8:30 o’clock in the morning for the enforcement exercise, which resulted in confiscation of the 46 vehicles, one tricycle and four motorcycles.
According to reports gathered by Nigerian NewsDirect, the impounded vehicles will be released to the owners upon payment of fines which ranges from N25,000 to N40,000 to serve as a deterrent to others.
Commenting on what led to the raid, head of public relations and enlightenment, DTRS, Mr. Kalu Emetu said the parks were raided to get rid of vehicles obstructing vehicular movement on the Apo and Area 3 axis. The DRTS spokesperson said the penalty for the offence depends on the kind of vehicle involved and offence committed.
He said, “We have been at Area 1 and 3, Apo Legislative Bridge, Apo Roundabout; but we will still go to Berger. We don’t stop, because we have a Taskforce, whose primary function is to move round the city daily, to make sure that we clear these obstructions. The DTRS is responsible for this activity, so every day we go to the streets to make sure that all those illegal activities on the roads are cleared. That was exactly what we did this morning. And so far, forty-six (46) vehicles, one tricycle and four motorcycles have been impounded. It’s not right for you to stop in the middle of the road to pick passengers, because when Abuja is clean, it is for all of us.
“We want every resident of Abuja to know there are alternatives; let them go to the approved garages to board vehicles and refrain from boarding vehicles loading on the road corridors. It is part of the effort being made to ensure that there is free flow of traffic which affects aspects of life. For instance, if the roads are not free, it affects the economy adversely, so every government makes concerted efforts to ensure that there is always free flow of traffic. The other effort we are making is to intensify sensitization campaigns to ensure that people must obey traffic laws,” Emetu said.