THE Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Monday, appealed to all residents of Gosa and other communities on airport expressway that everything would be done to ensure that their interests were adequately catered for in accordance with the provisions of the law.
He, however, warned that his administration would not condone lawlessness in any form.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja over the blockage of the road by irate youths for more than four hours, the minister sympathized with all the motorists that were affected by the unfortunate incident, particularly those whose vehicles might have been damaged.
Malam Bello reiterated the commitment of this administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all residents of the city and to ensure a free flow of traffic not only on the airport road but on roads across the territory.
He said security agencies have been fully mobilized and working to ensure that there is a free flow of traffic on all FCT roads.
According to him, “it would be recalled that on Saturday, March 24, officials of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) carried out an exercise to remove illegal structures at the Gosa illegal Market on the Airport road.
“The whole idea behind the removal was to clean the area and free it from obstructing traffic moving into the city of Abuja. As usual, in line with laid down regulations, the officials met severally with the owners of the illegal stalls to make them understand the need to keep the Airport expressway free from obstruction so as to save lives and property against the frequent accidents that occur due to the encroachment of the road by the illegal market.
“The traders were admonished not to conduct their trading activities within 500 metres from the expressway. Unfortunately, the administration observed with dismay that in spite of the assurances given by the traders, several illegal structures continued to spring up and spill right onto the expressway thereby endangering the lives of motorists plying that very important gateway to the city. This has lead to numerous accidents along the road leading to casualties.
“However, following that exercise, some miscreants cashed in and set up burn fires on the road on Saturday evening and this Monday afternoon leading to traffic obstruction and heavy gridlock on that very important road.” He lamented.
The minister said the expressway is the main gateway to Nigeria and whatever visitors see on that road is their first impression about the country, hence the need to keep it free and safe could not be overemphasized.
