Abuja – Mr Danjuma Garba, Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as VIO, has said that Abuja metropolis is the pride of the nation and motorists should respect it, especially the roads.
Garba gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday after a patrol by a transport patrol team.
The team comprised personnel of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and Nigerian Prison Service
He said the Lugbe-Airport Road was an international route that should be treated as such.
“ Motorists and the public should note that Lugbe-Airport Road is an international route through which visitors access the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Sanity and safety on roads like Lugbe-Airport cannot be compromised by our men and this has been renewed with the patrol that has started.
“Some motorists, especially, commercial operators, can be recalcitrant as observed from our various patrols on that route.
“It is an offence to park on the highway with the aim of picking passengers where there are no provisions for such activity.
“Motorcycles have been totally banned on FCT highways and city centre but some operators still operate with impunity,” he said.
Garba said that patrols on Lugbe-Airport route and some critical corridors in Abuja would be sustained to ensure sanity and safety on the road.
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He advised drivers not to drink and drive, especially during the yuletide, and urged parents and guardians not to give vehicles to their underage children.
Meanwhile, Mr Wadata Bodinga, the Head of Operations in the agency, said 43 motorcycles were seized on Thursday for encroaching Lugbe-Airport road.
“Motorcycles are totally banned on highways, including airport road. They are only allowed to operate 500 metres from the highway before picking passengers into communities where they operate.
“Taxi operators are not expected to park and wait for passengers on the highway.
“They may only do such at various parks along the highway which should not be less than 500 metres away from highway,” he said.
Bodinga warned that traffic offenders should desist from attacking traffic personnel while trying to escape arrest. (NAN)
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