The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), Engineer Umar Gambo Jibrin, has disclosed that the FCT administration would, as from next week Monday, commence the enforcement activities of ensuring that motorists adhere strictly to its proper usage.
This action, according to him, became necessary following the substantial completion of the Southern Parkway in the FCT and opening same for use by motorists.
He made this known in Abuja after inspecting the road.
Engineer Jibrin, who announced that a lot of road signages have also been provided on the road to guide motorists, said officials of the Road Traffic Services and the FCT Transport Secretariat would be deployed to the road by Monday next week to ensure compliance.
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He, therefore, advised motorists to pay adequate attention to the road signs that have been placed on the road as guide.
Engineer Jibrin said the Southern Parkway, in the Abuja Master Plan, forms the major spine of the Capital City and one of the longest Abuja roads from the Central Business District traversing all the four phases of the Federal Capital City with facilities like streetlights, recreational, café centres and underpasses among others.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the minister, Anthony Ogunleye, the executive secretary further said it was designed to complement the Northern Parkway, the major arterial running across Mabushi.
Engineer Jibrin noted that the series of conflicts being experienced on the road is as a result of motorists moving in the wrong directions,
“The minister has asked that we should commence enforcement and we are going to do that by Monday, March 9. First and foremost, you will see that a lot of signage have been placed along the road. This has been there since December. We have had this in place for people to understand that eventually, this is the way this movement will be.” He stated.
He further explained that movement on the road is mainly one-directional, adding that the road does not provide for driving in the reverse direction.
The statement quoted executive secretary of saying: “From Monday, March 9, 2020, vehicular movement on the Southern Parkway would be in one-way rotational mode. This means that all motorists coming from Muhammadu Buhari Way wishing to access ICRC, Shagalinku restaurant, FCTA/FCDA Secretariat towards Jaiz Bank and Benue House junction will keep to the right lane and then turn at Silverbird Entertainment Center (Shoprite) by Yar’adua Centre and Sheraton Hotel and Towers moving straight towards the National Mosque, CBN Headquarters, Christian (Ecumenical) Centre to again access NTA, FCTA/FCDA, Shagalinku restaurant or proceed to access Area 8 through Muhammadu Buhari Way.
“Eventually, when the bridge is concluded on Muhammadu Buhari Way, you can move over there and crossover up to Nnamdi Azikiwe which we call Ring Road One. If you want to do a U-turn and come back for whatever reason, you can do at the traffic light and then you also come in through the other side of it and then you can head on to ICRC and on to the other FCTA Headquarters”.
“So, from now on, we are urging that people should be very observant. These signs have been there long before now. So, it’s meant for motorists to take note of them and make sure that you don’t move in the wrong direction,” he added.
Also speaking, the acting Transport Secretary, Mrs Alice Odey-Achu, who accompanied the Executive Secretary on the inspection tour, noted that the directional signs which have been placed on the road for several months should be an adequate guide for motorists.
She reiterated that officials of the FCT Transport Secretariat would be on ground to show motorists the correct way in case they miss the directional signs.
“I think that the sign should be enough for people who are drivers. But we will still have our men on the way guiding us, reminding us that there are road signs to observe,” she added.
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